Tuesday, 17th March, 2026

Tuesday, 17^th March, 2026

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other Government Business, the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Tuesday, 17^th March, 2026, until further notice.

I thank you.

STUDENTS AND LECTURERS FROM DESTINY EDUCATION CENTRE SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of students and lecturers from Destiny Education Centre School in Shibuyunji District.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome the visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM HOLY CROSS CONVENT SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Holy Cross Convent School in Lusaka District.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome the visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

PUPILS AND TEACHERS FROM TEMWANI SCHOOL

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of pupils and teachers from Temwani School in Lusaka District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome the visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

MEMBERS FROM THE MOVEMENT FOR RESTORATION OF EDUCATION AND TEACHERS’ AFFAIRS IN ZAMBIA

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to recognise the presence, in the Public Gallery, of a group of members from the Movement for Restoration of Education and Teachers’ Affairs in Zambia (MORETA Zambia), in Lusaka District.

On behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, I warmly welcome the visitors into our midst.

I thank you.

FREE CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House that the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) – Women and Newborn Hospital has been authorised to conduct free cervical cancer screening for interested female hon. Members of Parliament and female staff of the National Assembly. This initiative forms part of activities for commemorating International Women’s Day and is aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.

The screening exercise started yesterday, Monday, 16^th March, 2026, and will run up to Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026, from 0900 to 1600 hours at the National Assembly Clinic, Parliament Main Buildings.

Interested female hon. Members of Parliament are encouraged to take advantage of this important health initiative.

I thank you.

Mr J. Chibuye interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Even prostrate.

Laughter

MEET-AND-GREET BREAKFAST

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, on 8^th March, 2026, Zambia joined the international community to commemorate International Women’s Day under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”. As you are aware, this was the last International Women’s Day of the Thirteenth National Assembly.

In light of this, the Rt. Hon. Madam Speaker will host a Meet-and-Greet Breakfast for Members of the Zambia Women Parliamentarians Caucus (ZWPC) on Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026. The breakfast will be from 0730 to 1030 hours at the National Assembly of Zambia.

The Meet-and-Greet Breakfast is intended to provide an opportunity for the Rt. Hon. Madam Speaker to interact with female hon. Members of Parliament, share experiences from the Thirteenth National Assembly, and reflect on the role of women in advancing gender equality and women empowerment in politics.

I, therefore, encourage all female hon. Members of Parliament to make every effort to attend the Meet-and-Greet Breakfast. Participation is on voluntary basis.

I thank you.

DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, as the House is aware, the debate on the Motion of Thanks, which commenced on Tuesday, 24^th February, 2026, is scheduled to conclude tomorrow, Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026. In this regard, and as earlier announced on Thursday, 5^th March, 2026, the remaining two days of debate, today, Tuesday, 17^th March, 2026, and tomorrow, Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026, have been reserved for contributions from Cabinet and Provincial Ministers.

I, therefore, wish to encourage all hon. Ministers to make their contributions at the earliest opportunity and not defer to the last minute.

I thank you.

_______

URGENT MATTERS WITHOUT NOTICE

MR NUNDWE, HON. MEMBER FOR CHAWAMA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR LUFUMA, ON THE FLOOD SITUATION IN CHAWAMA

Mr Nundwe (Chawama): On an Urgent Matter without Notice, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Nundwe: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Madam Speaker, currently, Chawama Constituency is extremely flooded. Misisi Compound, Kuku Compound and parts of John Howard Compound are affected by floods. The water levels are reaching up to the window level. What is the Government doing to ensure that the people in that constituency are safe, and what could be the long-term solution to that problem?

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you very much.

When did the floods start …

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: … for the water to reach the –

Mr Nundwe: Yesterday, the situation was very unbearable.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

I am sure, the floods did not start yesterday. Hon. Member for Chawama, I advise you to file in a question as soon as possible so that it can be attended to within this week but, please, consult Her Honour the Vice-President.

MR KANG’OMBE, HON. MEMBER FOR KAMFINSA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, MR LUFUMA, ON THE NON-ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HIS ADVOCACY FOR A TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR ECONOMY

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, on an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: An Urgent Matter without Notice is raised.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, my Urgent Matter without Notice is directed at the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, on 1^stMarch, 2023, you authorised me to move a Motion urging the Government to transform Zambia into a twenty-four-hour economy. On that day, the Motion was shot down. However, I learnt yesterday that the Cabinet held a meeting at which it resolved the need to put in place modalities to transform Zambia into a twenty-four-hour economy. That is very good news. We debated that Motion here.

Madam Speaker, is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House in order to not acknowledge the efforts of the people of Kamfinsa Constituency, for advocating and raising public awareness on that very important topic of transforming Zambia into a twenty-four-hour economy? I have read the statement from the hon. Minister of Information and Media. There is no acknowledgement of the advocacy, which we have been doing for the last two to three years.

Is the Acting leader of Government Business in the House in order to not acknowledge that the hon. Member for Kamfinsa moved a Motion to transform Zambia into a twenty-four-hour economy. Is the Government in order to not acknowledge that?

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, from which source did you get the information?

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Information and Media published resolutions of Cabinet, and the first resolution was that Zambia will become a twenty-four-hour economy. I brought a Motion on the same issue to this House.

Madam Speaker, is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House in order to not acknowledge the efforts of the people of Kamfinsa? Is the Government in order to not acknowledge the work that I did on the Floor of this House? Are these people in order?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, your matter was presented – was it on 1^st March?

Mr Kang’ombe: Yes, in 2023. I just want them to acknowledge it.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kamfinsa, that matter does not qualify as an Urgent Matter without Notice. Nobody is going to die. There is no catastrophe that is going to happen. So, that matter is inadmissible.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

MR MUMBA, HON. MEMBER FOR KANTANSHI, ON MR LUFUMA, HON. MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE, ON THE WAR BETWEEN IRAN, ISRAEL AND THE UNITED STATES

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to raise an Urgent Matter without Notice.

Madam Speaker, let me start by acknowledging the appointments of our two Colleagues; the hon. Minister of Health and the hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development. They have been appointed at a time when the Government is having challenges explaining the good programmes and the work that it has been able to do in the country. I hope they will take advantage of the opportunity to disseminate the right information to our people.

Madam Speaker, we are now on day seventeen of the war between Iran, America and Israel. There are various reports indicating that one of the key challenges we are going to have around the world is the cost of fuel and the availability of that fuel because of the war.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) made some statements on fuel, and the President met the ERB this morning. This is the people’s House. So, the information that comes from here is what people listen to. As you know, fuel is the driver of our economy. There are so many things that the Government has been able to achieve, including the economic growth rate we are talking about now. It is the responsibility of the Government to respond to the effect of that war, which none of us here planned for. I want to find out whether the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is in order to be here without mentioning anything about the immediate measures that the Government will carry out to protect our economy. What is currently happening is worrisome. Therefore, the Government should take the lead in protecting what it has already achieved, especially economically.

Madam Speaker, I seek your indulgence on this matter, for the sake of our people in Kantanshi. To make matters worse, already fuel shortages have started. In Ndola, I struggled to find diesel. So, that is the premise of my matter.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Kantanshi, a Ministerial Statement was presented by the hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation over the same matter; the war between Iran and America. I would advise you to come up with an urgent question because we cannot repeat the same issues that were in a Ministerial Statement that was already presented.

We make progress.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

PLACEMENT OF TEACHERS RECRUITED IN 2025 ON THE PAYROLL

249. Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa) asked the Minister of Education:

whether the Government is aware that teachers who were recruited under the 2025 replacement category are experiencing financial hardship due to the prolonged delay in being placed on the Government payroll;

what the cause of the delay in placing the teachers on the payroll is; and

when the teachers will be placed on the payroll.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane) (on behalf of the Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima)): Madam Speaker, the Government is aware of the concerns raised regarding teachers recruited under the 2025 replacement exercise, who have not yet been placed on the Government payroll. However, I wish to clarify that the Government has a clear policy that requires that teachers must first be placed on the payroll before they commence duty. Therefore, teachers who are not yet on the payroll have not been deployed to start work.

Madam Speaker, the delay in placing some of the newly-recruited teachers on the Government payroll has arisen in situations where a vacancy occurred following the retirement of a head teacher or other senior teachers. In such instances, the approved Public Service establishment requires that internal promotions be effected first in order to fill the higher position, before a vacancy can be created at the lower level to allow for the replacement of a newly-recruited teacher. This process must be completed in accordance with the laid-down Public Service procedures before payroll placement can be finalised.

Madam Speaker, in addressing the matter, the Ministry of Education, working in collaboration with the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and other relevant authorities, is expediting completion of the necessary internal promotions arising from retirements and other staff movements. The Government, therefore, wishes to assure the House that all the affected teachers are continuously being placed on the payroll, and the process will be completed by 31^st July, 2026.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

The consultations are too loud. Hon. Member for Lunte, I had mentioned that your consultations are too loud. Kindly lower your voices.

Mr Kafwaya stood up.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You may resume your seat, hon. Member.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, the motivation behind my question which came through an Urgent Matter without Notice on 5^th March, 2026, was basically a complaint from people who have received appointment letters. The Ministry of Education has been issuing appointment letters for teachers to be recruited by the Government. The response from the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, who is Acting hon. Minister of Education is that the individuals will only be placed on the payroll in July 2026.

Mr B. Mpundu: How?

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, these individuals have been working for eight months so far. We are not discussing volunteers or people who simply go to an education facility to go and see what is happening.

Mr B. Mpundu: Yes!

Mr Kang’ombe: We are discussing people who have appointment letters. My first follow-up therefore, is: Why did the Government issue appointment letters assigning young people to schools? The affected people have been assigned. If we went to Justin Kabwe Basic School in Kamfinsa or Buchi Primary School in Nkana, we would find them working because they have been assigned. So, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister why the Government issued appointment letters when the money to pay them is not available.

Madam Speaker, that is my first follow-up question.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I said that the Government policy requires that teachers must first be placed on the payroll before they commence duty. That is what I said. That notwithstanding, I wish to give further information that as a result of the procedure that I have just indicated, the Government recruited a total of 4,319 teachers under the July 2025 replacement exercise out of which 2,795 teachers have already been placed on the Government payroll across the ten provinces of the country while for others, the process is ongoing. Therefore, it is not as if nothing has happened, the process has started and some have already been put on the payroll.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kang’ombe: Madam Speaker, when the Government employs a teacher, and for some reason he/she does not report for work, a replacement has to be found. It means that the slot or space for recruitment has a number. So, what that means is that when the payroll is being made, the replacement of the name is carried out, but the slot or the position still remains.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the affected teachers, when the 4,000 teachers were recruited on replacement in July 2025, there were those numbers, I do not know if they call them Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) numbers or whatever name they are given. When replacing a person, why can the Government not just assign the same number to the person it is replacing so that the payroll is the same because it is just replacing the name? So, that is the outcry from the affected teachers. Why can the Government not just quickly place the 4,000 teachers on the payroll because they are replacing those who were already in employment? It means that the Treasury authority was already granted.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, this is what I was explaining. Some teachers have already been placed on the payroll. The thing is that we cannot put all of them on the payroll in one minute. It is a process, and this is what is happening.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr Mukosa (Chinsali): Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, the people who the hon. Member for Kamfinsa is talking about were given employment letters and they started working.

Mr Kang’ombe: Yes, they are already working.

Mr Mukosa: Now, the hon. Minister has indicated that about 2,700 teachers have been put on the payroll from the 4,000 who were recruited while the other 1,300 have not been put on the payroll. So, they are waiting. The reason the Government cannot put the teachers on the payroll at the same time until July 2025 cannot be understood by a person who is working and has not been getting a salary for eight months plus. Is the hon. Minister trying to say that when the Government puts the affected teachers on the payroll in June this year, they are going to be paid arrears for the months they have been working?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, that is an administrative issue that will be taken up. The teachers can see their administrative heads, the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) to be able to clarify that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for his responses.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has stated that the 4,000 teachers who were recruited for teacher replacement in 2025 will be put on the payroll in July\ 2026. Now, since the Government has announced that it is going to recruit 3,500 teachers this year, and the 2,000 plus have not yet been put on the payroll, is there any possibility that the teachers who will be employed this year will be put on the payroll?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the answer is yes. When you doubt, it is like doubting those days when we said that we were going to recruit 30,000 teachers and people said it would not happen, but it happened. So, in a similar fashion, when we say this is what is going to happen, just believe because it will happen. Do not be a disbeliever.

Laughter

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, the issue here is replacement.

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Chala: It is not the new recruitment of teachers. The Government is just replacing ...

Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Chala: … because the Government had numbers of those who retired …

H0n. Opposition Members: Yes!

Mr Chala: … and were on the payroll with new ones. That is the reason they were given appointment letters. Why can the hon. Minister not just say sorry because he has no explanation to give to the Zambian people …

Laughter

Mr Chala: … than what he is saying?

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Chipili!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Kafwaya: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Is that a point of order?

Mr Kafwaya indicated assent.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Before the Acting hon. Minister of Education comes in, there is an indication for a point of order.

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, I thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, I raise this point of order on the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House. The Acting Leader of Government Business in the House needed to act like one who is leading Business in the House, ...

Mr B. Mpundu: Eh!

Mr Kafwaya: … by allocating a question to an hon. Minister who can respond …

Mr B. Mpundu: Eh!

Mr Kafwaya: … to those matters.

Mr B. Mpundu: Not ifi!

Mr Kafwaya: Madam Speaker, the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House knows that the substantive Minister of Education is not in the House today. Why should he pick on a good man, Hon. Dr Musokotwane, the Minister of Finance and National Planning when he knows that he cannot answer these questions?

Interruptions

Mr Kafwaya: Is he in order to select a doctor who is a good man and knows things in his area instead of even getting somebody like my old friend here from Livingstone to answer these questions?

Laughter

Mr Kafwaya: Is he in order to misconduct himself like this by wrongly directing a question.

I seek you serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Rev. Katuta: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

The Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is in order to appoint another hon. Minister to respond on behalf of a Minister who is not present. As far as I am concerned, I have been listening, and the hon. Acting Minister answered the question. Then, I called for supplementary questions. Now, the issue which is there is that some hon. Members, maybe, are not be happy with the answers, but the hon. Minister responded and the question is still on the Floor.

Mr Kafwaya interjected.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Lunte, I said that the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House was in order to appoint somebody to respond to the question that was asked on the Floor of the House. Whether we are happy with the answers or not, the hon. Minister is doing his job. He is responding.

So, we make progress.

We are going to have a response from the hon. Acting Minister of Education.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Should he repeat the question?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Member for Chipili asked a question.

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I understood it as a comment because he disputed the answer that I had given earlier. In any case, I keep saying that it takes time when thousands of people are waiting to be placed on payroll.

Hon PF Members: Question!

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the papers have to be processed one by one. That is what is happening. I indicated that it is not as if nothing is happening, because of the 4,319 teachers, more than half have already been placed on payroll. That should give one the confidence to know that the process is rolling on.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will get the last two indications, the hon. Member for Shiwang’andu and the hon. Member for Chienge.

Rev. Katuta: Hear, hear!

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this chance to pose a supplementary question.

Before I do, Madam Speaker, permit me to congratulate and commend you as the first board chairperson for the newly-launched Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training (iPST), which is long overdue.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you.

Mr Kampyongo: We commend you.

On a lighter note, Madam Speaker, I would like you to organise an orientation workshop to be conducted by my colleague, the Member of Parliament for Mwense, Hon. Mabumba, and I, which will be facilitated by Hon. Chella Mwiche, to orient our hon. Colleagues on your right, who are soon to join the club for former Cabinet Ministers, in a few weeks' time.

Hon. UPND Members: Question!

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, please, go straight to your question.

Mr Kampyongo: I just do not know how our two brothers, who have been appointed to serve for a few weeks, will participate because their orientation to become Ministers is coinciding with that exit orientation workshop.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: What is your question, hon. Member?

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, it is better that the Acting hon. Minister is the one responding to the question. The procedure for recruiting public servants starts with the Treasury authority from his ministry, which is given by the Secretary-to-the-Treasury. That is what provides space for people to be placed on the payroll. My question to him is: Did the Ministry of Education obtain the Treasury authority to recruit those numbers, which are not yet on the payroll?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, and on behalf of Hon. Kampyongo, Member of Parliament for Shiwang'andu, let me rephrase what he said. He should have congratulated the two hon. Ministers, instead of talking about orientation.

Hon. Government Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Musokotwane: Who oriented him when he was appointed Minister of Home Affairs?

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, he is a good man.

Madam Speaker, the answer to the question is that this is not a Treasury authority issue. This is an issue concerning the clerical work of placing people on the payroll. The Treasury authority was already given.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Once again, to all the women in the House, I say Happy Women's Month, as we continue celebrating ourselves.

Ms Mulenga: Thank you, Madam President.

Rev. Katuta: Thank you. It is important. 2026–

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Continue with your question, hon. Member.

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, on the issue of giving our fellow citizens the excitement of being given job opportunities, we have to remember that, at the end of the day, they are people who have been loafing, doing nothing. The Government gives them the excitement of being given jobs, but by the time they are paid their salaries, they would be heavily indebted, because, at present, it has been eight months. I know many young people who were employed under this replacement. The question I have is: How will the ministry help the people it has not yet placed on the payroll in order for them to not face what they are facing right now? Will the ministry pay them the salaries at once or, again, they will be told that they will be given the money in bits, since they have been serving as full-time employees, not as volunteers?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, this is a Government that cares a lot about its young people, especially about giving them job opportunities. This is why, for the first time in many years, this Government has employed many teachers, health staff, police officers and other security personnel. It is only under this Government, and that demonstrates that this Government cares about its citizens. I do not want to make comparisons with previous Governments, especially the last one. However, I want to say that in this particular case, you have not even heard of people not receiving their salaries on time over the last four years. Previously, people were not receiving their salaries on time. That no longer happens. I am just mentioning this to tell the hon. Member that we feel for those young people. That is why we will push hard so that the remaining 1,500, out of the 4,300, are processed even faster.

Madam Speaker, when I said that Hon. Kampyongo is a good man, I was reminded and rebuked by one of my hon. Colleagues I will not point a finger at, that he is actually a very bad man.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, this is an honourable august House, and it is important that when we are here, we conduct ourselves accordingly.

Madam Speaker, my point of order is on the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, who is responding to this very important question, which has troubled our young men and women who have been duped into being recruited as teachers when the Government cannot pay them. I do not know how that is connected with what the hon. Minister is insinuating that in the past, people were not being paid on time. I do not know whether it was at the time he was Minister, because this is the second time he is a Minister. He is not being specific, whether it was at the time he was chwela Minister of Finance, or now.

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, he has allowed himself to be misled by the person sitting next to him, who has failed to apologise to the farmers, whom he was repeatedly deceiving in this House. The hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning knows that I am a good man, but he is being misled by the hon. Minister seated next to him, abene ba nsala.

Madam Speaker, is he in order, first of all, to accept being misled by the hon. Minister responsible for hunger and expensive mealie meal …

Laughter

Mr Kampyongo: … by making him change his position about me? More importantly, is he in order to not clarify when the people were not being paid, whether it was at the time he was Minister for chwela or, indeed, this time around, because this is when we are talking about teachers being recruited and not being paid?

I seek your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Shiwang’andu, that point of order is not admissible. You actually debated the point of order and did not even state the breach that was committed. You brought up three matters in one point of order. So, it is not admissible.

_______

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

MALARIA-RELATED DEATHS IN CHINSALI DISTRICT

250. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Health:

how many malaria-related deaths were recorded in Chinsali District, from 2021 to September, 2025, year by year; and

what measures the Government is taking to prevent and control malaria in the district.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr B. Mpundu: Bantu baswa mema!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us give him a chance.

Laughter

Hon. Members: Hammer, hammer!

The Minister of Health (Mr Katakwe): Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to a question from the hon. Member for Chinsali. I also thank the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for the fact that he has put in place good policies in this country to ensure that there is no vacuum in attending to challenges, especially in the health sector.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Let us not disturb the new hon. Minister of Health.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, malaria-related deaths recorded in Chinsali District from 2021 to September 2025, based on the routine health facility data, were as follows:

Year Deaths recorded

2021 30

2022 16

2023 13

2024 14

2025 09

Madam Speaker, to prevent and control malaria in Chinsali District, the Government is implementing a comprehensive package of interventions in line with the Zambia National Malaria Elimination Strategy of 2022 to 2026. These include:

the distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets through mass campaigns and routine antenatal and Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) services;

environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding sites;

prompt diagnosis and treatment using diagnostic tests that are rapid in nature and artemisinin-based combination therapies;

deployment of trained community health workers not only in Chinsali but in most rural areas;

strengthening malaria prevention in pregnancy through intermittent prevention and treatment; and

intensification of social and behavioural change communication and enhancement of malaria surveillance.

Madam Speaker, further, the Government introduced the malaria vaccine in October 2025, and as of December 2025, 3,296 children had received dose one of malaria, 2,635 children had received dose two, and 1,726 children had received dose three in Chinsali District.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Madam Speaker, let me begin by congratulating the hon. Minister on his appointment. Let me also congratulate my other colleague who has been appointed in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises.

Madam Speaker, in his response to the question posed by my honourable brother, the hon. Minister began by praising President Hakainde Hichilema’s policies in the health sector, and he did so with hindsight because he already had the numbers in terms of how many people died from 2021 to 2025 as a result of malaria in Chinsali. My quick math indicates that seventy-three people died in that period.

Hon. Member: Eighty-two!

Mr Kafwaya: Somebody is correcting my math, that it is actually eighty-two.

Madam Speaker, how does the hon. Minister reconcile the death of eighty-two people in one district with good policies in the health sector as promulgated by President Hakainde Hichilema?

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I will repeat what I said. There were thirty deaths in 2021, sixteen in 2022, thirteen in 2023, fourteen in 2024, and nine, as of September 2025. Maybe, the eighty that my brother, Hon. Kafwaya, stated is a summation of this. However, according to the data I have, this is what is recorded in the health centres in Chinsali. We received the data on malaria-related deaths from the districts, and that is what we base our facts on. What my brother said may not be factual, but if it is a summation, then it may be an approximation based on the figures that I have stated.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Thank you, Madam Speaker, and now I take this opportunity to congratulate the newly-appointed hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned a couple of measures that the Government has put in place. However, he may wish to note that Chinsali District is mainly peri-urban. While it has seen a number of health facilities constructed, the biggest challenge is the drug supply chain. What assurance can the hon. Minister give the people of Chinsali concerning availability of medicines? He mentioned the measures that the Government has put in place to address this issue, but we do not even see the distribution of mosquito nets, like we used to in the past.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, as at now, the Government is in the process of procuring the necessary drugs. We already have health kits in place, and they are being distributed. However, we do acknowledge the challenge of stock levels in various districts. The Government is working flat out, day and night, to ensure that health kits and all essential medicines are available in Chinsali and all other parts of the country where malaria is endemic. So, we acknowledge that and efforts are being made to expedite the procurement of essential medicines through the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA). At this point in time, we are equal to the task involving the management at ZAMMSA to make sure that distribution of medicines is expedited.

Madam Speaker, let me add that as we speak, a number of co-operating partners are on board, and insecticide-treated nets have been procured. Some are in the country and more will come by September, before the peak of the malaria season, and we expect that most parts of the country, including Chinsali, would have received the insecticide-treated mosquito nets by then.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, allow me also to congratulate the hon. Minister of Health for having been appointed to this position. Allow me to also congratulate my honourable brother, who has walked out of the Assembly Chamber, Mr Malama, for having being appointed hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that in 2021, we lost thirty people due to malaria and in 2022, they are sixteen, in 2023, thirteen, in 2024, fourteen, and in 2025, nine. This means that the total number of people who died from malaria in Chinsali alone is eighty-two from 2021 to 2025. This is of great concern because I think that in this time and era, we should not be losing a significant number of people due to malaria. The hon. Minister stated that vaccination against malaria has commenced in Chinsali. However, he talked about vaccination for children only. Is vaccination also applicable to adults, or is it applicable only to children? If it is applicable to adults, I would like all my people in Chinsali to be vaccinated because I do not want anyone to die due to malaria.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, as I indicated, it needs to be noted that the malaria vaccine was launched in October, 2025. So, this is a new initiative. Indeed, through the effort of the Government and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), we have vaccinated mainly children from the time the vaccination programme was launched. This is because children are the most susceptible category of people when it comes to malaria. Pregnant women are also susceptible. This is why we emphasise that during antenatal care, women should comply and make sure that they receive prophylaxis for malaria.

Madam Speaker, to give the hon. Member comfort, let me provide further figures. The Government introduced the malaria vaccine in 2025, as part of routine immunisation. In 2025, a total of 204,643 children received their first dose of the vaccine, giving us 97 per cent of the target. Afterwards, 117,463 children received the second dose, giving us 63 per cent of the target, and then 38,163 children received the third dose, giving us 41 per cent of the target. That is at the national level. This indicates a strong initial uptake of the vaccine, but a drop in completion across the sequence of doses. So, it is incumbent upon us, as leaders, to sensitise communities through community health workers that children need to be vaccinated.

Madam Speaker, earlier, I talked about the other interventions that the Government is putting in place, such as giving insecticide-treated nets treated with ivermectin to communities, especially those in rural areas. We need to emphasise that people need to keep using the nets. In some areas, we found that people use the nets to catch fish. So, I encourage Hon. Mukosa to keep on sensitising the people in his area so that we bring the number of malaria cases down.

Madam Speaker, further information is that since 2021, when the United Party for National Development (UPND) came to power, we have seen the figures of malaria cases drop. In Chinsali, the figure dropped from thirty deaths to sixteen in 2022, thirteen in 2023 and fourteen in 2024. This is as a result of the effort that the Government is making in eliminating malaria.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the answer has provided.

Madam Speaker, in his substantive response to the question, he indicated that one way of reducing or eliminating malaria cases in Chinsali is by giving people treated mosquito nets. So, I would like to find out the number of mosquito nets that the Government intends to give to the people of Chinsali this year, 2026.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I do not have the actual figures. As I indicated earlier, we have mosquito nets that are in-country and more consignments are underway. So, we have noted that, and we are yet to see how the allocation is going to be done. So, for now, the information cannot be provided, but it will be in due course.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment, as Minister of Health, together with our colleague, Hon. Malama, as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Madam Speaker, I have keenly followed the hon. Minister on his submissions and the interventions that the Government is taking to ensure that people in Chinsali District are safe from malaria.

Madam Speaker, when we look at the statistics, we see a downward trend, but overall, eighty-three is high. What other intervention measures is the Government taking? Is it escalating to rural health centres to ensure that they too have adequate test kits to detect malaria at the quickest possible time to avert malaria-related deaths?

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, in the 2026 Budget, there has been an increased allocation of funds for surveillance, prevention, drug procurement, and the training of community health workers. So, it is through such interventions that we are going to see a decline, as more efforts are being put in and as more partners come on board.

Madam Speaker, let me just state that from the figures of the insecticide treated nets that are coming into the country, on average, the endemic areas and districts will receive about 117,771 insecticide treated nets. This is one of the efforts that we are taking to make sure that cases are reduced. There are many other interventions which I may not state now. However, suffice it to say that this is what we are doing. So, we expect the cases to go down.

Madam Speaker, it is also important to note that at some point, the cases increased due to the fact that in 2024, we had sufficient rainfall. So, each time we have rainfall in abundance, the breeding sites for mosquitoes, especially those which transmit malaria, the anopheles mosquitoes, breed more when there is a conducive environment. In 2025 and 2026, we have noted that there are heavy rains in most parts of the country. This is why the Government is putting in place all these measures before the peak period for malaria transmission in endemic areas.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to ask a question on behalf of the people of Roan Constituency.

Madam Speaker, before I do that, let me join my colleagues in patting on the back our newly-appointed hon. Minister of Health and the one responsible for Small and Medium Enterprise Development on the well-deserved appointments. We are sure that the hon. Ministers will live up to the task.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has answered part of my question. However, I want to find out from him the measures that his ministry is taking to ensure that it tackles the issue of malaria in Chinsali. How much residual spraying is the ministry conducting or has been able to carry out in homes apart from the other measures that he has itemised, coupled with giving the people of Chinsali the anti-malaria drugs before malaria actually happens?

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, as I indicated, indoor residual spraying is one of the measures that the Government has put in place to reduce transmission.

Madam Speaker, the treated nets that we are using or distributing have long-lasting insecticide in them. As I indicated, depending on the number of health workers we have engaged, the community health workers and through the policy of devolution of primary health care to the local authority, by engaging the local authority staff, we are moving far and wide to make sure that malaria cases are reduced. So, concerted effort is not just through the Ministry of Health, but also a multi-sectoral approach, using the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and other ministries. The Ministry of Education is coming in through sensitisation and awareness. All those are the efforts that we are putting in place to make sure that malaria cases are reduced.

Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to further guide and indicate to the nation that malaria deaths in 2021 stood at 1,315 in the whole nation.

Ms Nyirenda: Doctor K!

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, as of 2022, the number of people who died was 1,493. So, there was a slight increase at that time.

Ms Nyirenda: Chalimbana lecturer!

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, we had a …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Lundazi!

Laughter

Ms Nyirenda: I am proud of my colleagues.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You are disturbing the House. I am going to ask you to leave the House.

Mr Kafwaya: Question!

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, …

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Can we observe order.

Hon. Minister, you may continue.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, I am giving very sensitive information to the nation so that we see how we are progressing in terms of the agenda for the elimination of malaria.

Madam Speaker, in 2025, we had 1,221 deaths that were recorded, indicating a slight increase, but remaining below the peak of 2023. So, these are the efforts, and therefore, progress has been made. Since 2023, the fluctuations have highlighted the need to sustain and strengthen malaria control efforts across the country.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The last hon. Member to ask will be the hon. Member for Kasenengwa.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity.

May I say hats off to the new Minister of Health on his astounding appointment, and, indeed, to our colleague, Hon. Malama.

Madam Speaker, I wanted to find out from the hon. Minister of Health if the ministry has any plan to completely eradicate malaria not only in Chinsali, but also across the country. In his statement, he has talked more about reducing the malaria cases, as opposed to talking about eradicating malaria completely, as is the case in Lusaka. We do not have to worry about catching malaria when we go to our constituencies because that might cause our productivity to be disturbed. So, I just wanted to get an answer from him. Further, I hope he will take this opportunity to answer the first question from the hon. Member for Lunte, who wanted to find out how they are reconciling the good policies of the Government and the eighty-two people who died of malaria in the last four years.

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, the Government has partners, for example, the Global Fund, which is funding the agenda for the elimination and prevention of malaria. The disease is difficult to eradicate, but it is possible to keep all efforts working to ensure that the cases of malaria are reduced. Many factors are involved. For example, as I indicated, if mosquito nets are distributed in a particular region, like Chinsali, but people are not sensitised and there is no behavioural change, the efforts may be in vain. The livelihoods of the people of Chinsali and many parts of our rural areas are based on shifting cultivation. So, even when indoor residual spraying is done, they will be protected at that time, but will be exposed to malaria when they go to the fields. So, that makes it difficult to eradicate malaria. Efforts have to be made through our partners, and more resources have to be allocated towards that agenda. Eventually, when every part of the population is educated and there is behavioural change, a decrease in malaria cases is expected.

Madam Speaker, currently, there are about thirty to forty incidents of malaria. That is already an indication that, indeed, the Government’s policies are working. In future, with all the Government’s measures intended to eliminate and control malaria, progress will be reported. The National Malaria Elimination Centre (NMEC) is a specialised unit that is driving the agenda and is responsible for the implementation of the strategies for the 2022 to 2026 period. The ministry uses the national strategic plan, which itemises the measures that will be taken from 2026 to 2031 to ensure that the efforts to reduce malaria cases are continued. All things being equal, we should be able to eliminate malaria because it remains one of the most difficult health challenges.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES OF THE KEEPING GIRLS IN SCHOOL PROGRAMME

251. Mr Mwila (Mufulira) (on behalf of Mr Fube (Chilubi)) asked the Minister of Education:

how many beneficiaries there were on the Keeping Girls in School programme as of August 2025 countrywide;

which province had the highest number of beneficiaries; and

whether the Government has any plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under the programme.

The Minister of Finance and National Planning (Dr Musokotwane) (on behalf of the Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima)): Madam Speaker, the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) initiative is implemented under the Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (GEWEL 2), which supports vulnerable girls to access, remain in and complete their education, covering learners from Grade 4 to Grade 12 or Form VI. During the first phase of the project, which ended in 2024, 173,331 girls were supported countrywide. For the second phase, which commenced in 2025, the project has continued to scale up support, and 113,695 girls were supported across the ten provinces of the Republic of Zambia. Further, under the higher education component, 3,047 female students have been supported through the Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board (HELSB), and 108 beneficiaries have since successfully graduated. This outcome reflects the Government's deliberate policy of ensuring that vulnerable girls are supported not only at primary and secondary schools but also, to progress into tertiary education and skills development.

Madam Speaker, beneficiary selection under the programme is guided by poverty rankings and the concentration of Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiary households with school-going girls. In 2025, the Western Province recorded the highest number of beneficiaries, with 16,500 girls supported, while Lusaka Province recorded the lowest number with 5,019 beneficiaries.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members on my left!

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under the KGS project from 113,695 girls supported in 2025 in ninety-five districts to 153,445 girls in 2026 across all 116 districts.

Madam Speaker, the Government remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that no vulnerable girls are denied the opportunity to access and complete education due to financial constraints.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwila: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has mentioned that the criteria for selection are based on poverty levels per province. I want to know if there is special consideration for girls who become pregnant but would like to go back to school. Does the programme offer special consideration or preferential treatment for pregnant girls who want to go to school?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, I am not aware of such a facility.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr B. Mpundu: Question!

Mr S. Banda (Petauke Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to ask a question on behalf of the people of Petauke Central.

Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Education for clarifying the matter.

Madam Speaker, what criteria are used to select beneficiaries for the programme, and have the criteria changed since the inception of the programme, because most girls in my constituency are left out?

Dr Musokotwane: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, in my statement, I said that the major criterion is vulnerability, which is normally associated with poverty. So, if the hon. Member has that problem, he can approach the substantive hon. Minister who, I am sure, will be in the House tomorrow. I think, the District Educational Board Secretary (DEBS) in Petauke can also advise him on the best procedures to follow so that the young girls in the constituencies also benefit.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu ): Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, how is the ministry going to synchronise the Keeping Girls in School Programme with the secondary school bursaries under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)? Are there plans to synchronise the two programmes?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, the policy of decentralisation has come through, because the bursaries that are under the CDF are being managed by the local council. So, it is up to the council, of which the hon. Member is a major player, to discuss with the communities, who can then point out those who already have bursaries and move somewhere else. So, the issue is in the hon. Member’s hands.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question.

Madam Speaker, I would like the Acting hon. Minister of Education to confirm the rumors circulating that in some schools, pupils are given food once per week, depending on their grade. For instance, on Monday, only those in Grade 1 are given food; on Tuesday, it is maybe those in Grade 2, until Friday. Has the hon. Minister tried to follow up on those reports to find out if that is what is really happening in schools?

Dr Musokotwane: Madam Speaker, as far as I know, the children are entitled to feeding once every school day. That is what is in place. They are fed from Monday, Tuesday, up until Friday. So, it is not just once a week.

Hon. PF Member: It is once per week.

Dr Musokotwane: No. If it is once per week, then there is a problem that needs to be addressed. The Government policy, which is being implemented, is to feed the children once every day.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

GROUPED QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD TO CONNECT MILENGE AND CHEMBE DISTRICTS

252. Mr Chonde (Milenge) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to construct a road to connect Milenge and Chembe districts:

if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

if there are no such plans, why.

CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS TO CONNECT SAMFYA, CHIFUNABULI,

AND CHILUBI DISTRICTS

253. Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government has any plans to construct roads to connect Samfya, Chifunabuli and Chilubi districts:

if so, when the project will commence;

what the estimated cost of the project is; and

if there are no such plans, why.

CONSTRUCTION OF LUBWA/NASHINGWA AND NKWETO/MWALULE ROADS

254. Mr Mukosa (Chinsali) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

what the timeframe for the construction of the following roads in Chinsali District is:

Lubwa/Nashinga Road;

Nkweto/Mwalule Road; and

at what percentage of completion, the projects were, as of August, 2025.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, in response to the question raised by Hon. Chonde, Member of Parliament for Milenge, I wish to state that the Government of the Republic of Zambia has plans to construct a road, that is the D101 Road, to connect Milenge to Chembe in Luapula Province.

Madam Speaker, the project will be implemented subject to the availability of funds from the Treasury.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has plans to construct a road connecting Milenge to Chembe in Luapula Province.

Madam Speaker, in response to the question raised by Hon. Fube, I wish to state that the Government of the Republic of Zambia has plans to construct roads to connect Samfya, Chifunabuli and Chilubi districts.

Madam Speaker, the first phase of the project has since commenced.

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project is K937,929,384.70.

Madam Speaker, as stated above, the Government has plans to construct roads to connect Samfya, Chifunabuli and Chilubi districts.

Madam Speaker, in response to the question raised by the hon. Member for Chinsali, I wish to state that the Lubwa/Nashinga (RD60) Road is being constructed under the Improved Rural Connectivity Project (IRCP), Package 14. Construction works are expected to be completed within the third quarter of 2026.

Madam Speaker, the Nkweto/Mwalule (RD64) Road is being constructed under the same project, the IRCP, Package 14. Construction works are expected to be completed within the third quarter of 2026.

Madam Speaker, the percentage completion for Lubwa/Nashinga (RD60) Road is 83.33 per cent, while that for Nkweto/Mwalule (RD64) Road is 37.74 per cent.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mukosa: Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a follow-up question, and I also thank the hon. Minister for his response.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the two roads, Lubwa/Nashinga and Nkweto/Mwalule, will be completed in the third quarter of 2026. We are currently in the first quarter of 2026, and the contractor working on the two roads has been very slow. The completion points that the hon. Minister stated do not speak to what is actually obtaining on the ground. The Lubwa/Nashinga Road does not look to be at 83.33 per cent. So, what assurance is the hon. Minister giving to the people of Chinsali that the two important roads, the Lubwa/Nashinga Road and the Nkweto/Mwalule Road, will be completed in the third quarter of 2026?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I asked the hon. Member of Parliament to get involved by monitoring and letting us know if there are any issues on those two roads. The road projects are being implemented under the Improved Rural Connectivity Programme (IRCP), which is funded by the World Bank. So, the issue of disbursement of funds is not there. Funding depends on how much work the contractor does. The contractor presents the interim payment certificates (IPCs) and is reimbursed on that basis.

Madam Speaker, just for the information of the hon. Members, the contract for both roads was signed on 28^th January, 2022, because they are under the same package of fourteen roads with the total cost of K164,064,197.93 with a total length of about 196.75 km. So, it is one of those projects where we expect good quality. We also expect it to be completed on time as it is externally funded by the World Bank. If the hon. Member is stating that according to the evidence available to him, what we have said here is not what is actually true, he is free to come and discuss this matter with us, so that we make sure that the contractor is pushed to conform to the completion terms.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers he has given about the road connecting Milenge and Chembe.

Madam Speaker, I would like to give the hon. Minister a little background on Milenge. There are two major roads that service Milenge. For the last four years, I have had engagements with the hon. Minister himself, on the status of those roads. As we speak, there is no connectivity between Milenge and Chembe, and social services in Nsunga Ward have been disrupted. Now, the hon. Minister has answered that the Government has plans to address the issue. I am interested in knowing the costs involved. I hope I got him correctly. I would like to know the cost of constructing such a road, before we even dream of having services there.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is talking about the issue of connecting two points. Let me assure the hon. Member that, as of now, the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the town council in Milenge, is undertaking improvement works on that particular stretch of the Milenge/Chembe Road, using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). I am sure the hon. Member is aware of that. He also asked about the cost. The estimated cost of upgrading the approximately 80 km of the Milenge/Chembe Road to bituminous standard, which he referred to, is K1.196 billion.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Madam Speaker, I would like to lobby …

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Ms Nakaponda: … for those two roads in Chinsali, which have been spoken about by the hon. Member of Parliament for Chinsali.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Ms Nakaponda: Madam Speaker, I reside in Chinsali …

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Ms Nakaponda: … and I know the situation regarding those roads.

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Ms Nakaponda: Those roads are dilapidated.

Madam Speaker, I would like the President to help the people of Chinsali …

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Ms Nakaponda: … to construct the two roads because they lead to the pontoons that take travellers to Kasama. The first road, Lubwa to Nashinga, leads to the pontoon that takes travellers to Kasama. Another road, Nkweto to Mwalule, also leads to a pontoon that takes travellers to Kasama.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Ms Nakaponda: That road connects Isoka to Chinsali through the Chambeshi Road.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Ms Nakaponda: Madam Speaker, I know that we have a listening President, …

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Ms Nakaponda: … so he is going to do what I have lobbied for.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hon. Member for Isoka. I thought she resides in Isoka, and not Chinsali, but she said she resides in Chinsali. I thank her for appreciating what sort of a person the President is.

Mr Nkandu: Eh!

Eng. Milupi: She said he is a listening President, and so on and so forth.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Eng. Milupi: This is as it should be; people understanding and appreciating the good works and the good nature of other people. So, I thank her for that.

Madam Speaker, as I have explained, those two roads are funded under the IRCP. This is a programme funded by the World Bank. So, there is no problem with money. All we have to do is ensure that the contractor does the work. If the contractor is slow, let us know so that we put pressure on him. The people at my ministry are listening to this presentation. So, they should take up the issue. The regional engineers, who used to be called provincial managers, should follow up this matter to make sure that the contractor, first of all, is doing quality work, and, secondly, doing it on time and conforming to the completion times that have been given. Thirdly, the contractor should ensure that the three-year programme of maintenance of those roads is undertaken to ensure that the people who use them will be adequately serviced.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, in response to the question on whether the Government has plans to build roads to connect Samfya, Chilubi and Chifunabuli, the hon. Minister said that the Government has plans to do that, and that the first phase is already in place. I just want to find out the stretch that will be worked on in the first phase and which stretch will be worked on in the second phase.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Kasandwe for that question. He has asked me which stretch will be worked on. I have said that the work to connect those two places has started on the first stretch of the road.

Madam Speaker, I would have thought that the hon. Member is fully aware of the geography of that area. The first stretch is the road from a place called Musaila towards Kasaba, and it is about 80 km. That is in Chifunabuli. As you know, from Musaila to Ndobo Bridge, it is about 11 km of an already bituminous road. From that point, for about 80 km through Lubwe all the way to Kasaba through the various chiefdoms of Chief Chitembo, Senior Chief Mwewa and Mwansakombe, that road will be worked on. If you understand the geography of that place, you know that from Kasaba to Luwingu, there are plains. So, it will be a lot more expensive to work on this section of the road, which is between 5 km and 10 km. If you have been to Kasaba, you know that we will require a lot of resources to construct a causeway in that area. When that is done in future, when resources are made available, it means that Luapula will be connected to the Northern Province through Luwingu. From Luwingu, obviously, there is a road that goes to Chaba in Chilubi District. It passes through areas like Chief Tungati, and so on and so forth. So, plans are there. This is the first plan. The contract for the road to Musaila and Kasaba through Chilubi District has already been signed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Interruptions

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, someone was disrupting me here.

Laughter

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, we appreciate that the hon. Minister has got plans to work on this road. However, the challenge that we have is that it lacks timelines. Now, to borrow the hon. Minister’s words, the geography of this area is quite challenging because of the effects of the rainfall both during the rainy season and after the rainy season. Is the hon. Minister able to place this particular area under some of his emergency programmes as we are waiting, because the local people face perpetual disruption of social services owing to the geography of the area? What message does the ministry have for the people of Lungomukuta to show that the Government cares about them?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, these are good questions, although sometimes, we do not know what – However, I assume that he is talking about the Milenge/Chembe Road. That is what he is talking about. The hon. Member is asking if the Government has plans in the interim. Yes, that is why I have stated that in the interim, the council is undertaking spot improvements on this particular road under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) whilst waiting for the upgrading to bituminous standard at the cost of K1,196,000,000. So, yes, spot improvements will be followed when resources are available to upgrade to bituminous standard.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

_______

MOTION

INTRODUCE MEASURES TO GOVERN THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE UNIONS TO MINIMISE MULTIPLICITY WITHIN INDUSTRIES

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): I beg to move that this House urges the Government to introduce greater measures governing the formation and registration of trade unions in order to minimise multiplicity within industries, whilst safeguarding the interests of Zambian workers.

Madam Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, I beg to second the Motion.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I thank you for according me this rare privilege to move a non-controversial Motion as regards the formation of trade unions in Zambia. Trade unions play a fundamental role in promoting workers' rights, advocating for fair wages and promoting decent working conditions.

Madam Speaker, trade unions provide an important platform through which workers can collectively engage employers on matters relating to wages, benefits and working conditions. However, the rapid proliferation of trade unions in Zambia has created fragmentation within the labour movement. This has weakened collective bargaining power and created inefficiencies in the labour market.

Madam Speaker, speaking as a former trade union leader, I have received several concerns from the workers and stakeholders on the multiplicity of trade unions in this country. While Article 21 of the Zambian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of association, the absence of clear regulatory measures resulted in the formation of multiple trade unions representing workers within the same sectors and industries, hence ultimately, undermining the strong voice of the workers, as the saying goes, United we stand, divided we fall.

The Current Situation in Zambia

Madam Speaker, the Industrial Relations Act, Chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia governs the formation and registration of trade unions in Zambia. Under this Act, specifically Section 5 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87, workers have a right to form and join trade unions provided that an application is submitted to the Labour Commissioner and is supported by at least fifty signatories or a number prescribed by the hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security. However, the Act does not provide adequate mechanism to regulate multiplicity of trade unions within the same sector.

Madam Speaker, according to the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) register for 2025, there are currently fifty-eight trade unions affiliated to the ZCTU. Notably, the education sector alone, has twelve affiliated trade unions. When additional unions that are not affiliated to the ZCTU are considered, the number rises to sixteen trade unions representing the teachers in this country. I want to give an example of the background of trade unions in the teaching sector.

Madam Speaker, for twenty-seven years of United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the colonial Government, only one trade union was registered thus, the Zambian Union of Teachers in 1953. Under the twenty-year rule of the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) Government, only two trade unions were registered in the teaching sector. Under the Patriotic Front’s (PF) ten-year rule, only four unions were registered in the teaching sector while under the five years of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government, nine unions have been registered in the teaching sector.

Madam Speaker, the multiplicity of trade unions within a single sector has contributed to fragmented representation and weakened the collective bargaining process.

Challenges Arising from Trade Union Multiplicity

Madam Speaker, the multiplicity of trade unions within the same sector has created several challenges, including the following:

Fragmentation of Bargaining Power

The existence of multiple unions representing the same workers often weakens the co-operative bargaining process and dilutes the workers negotiating strength.

Administrative Burden on Employers

Employers are required to engage in multiple unions in negotiations, which complicates labour relations and increases operation costs.

Madam Speaker, if we went to check when the unions in the teaching sector are negotiating, at Sandy’s Creations, it is almost like a rally because all the sixteen trade unions and their leaders have to converge. How can negotiations become effective for the teachers in such a situation?

Divided Membership

Madam Speaker, competition among unions for membership may undermine their primary mandate of advocating for workers’ rights. This has created a situation whereby when the Government employs teachers, for example 2,000 teachers, most of the union leaders compete for membership and because of that, productivity suffers. In the long run, teachers have multiple deductions on their payslips from organisations such as the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) and the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) just to mention a few. This has created a situation where one payslip has three union deductions thereby creating serious problems.

Madam Speaker, in the teaching sector, this has also contributed to an artificial shortage of teachers because once the Government employs teachers, most of the union leaders abandon classes because they want to compete for membership and attend to union activities thereby creating a wider teacher/pupil ratio.

Weak Sectorial Representation

Madam Speaker, the absence of a unified voice reduces the ability of workers to effectively influence labour policies.

Labour Policy Reforms

Madam Speaker, globalisation has led to privatisation and anti-union activities. Therefore, there is a need to have a strong trade union movement to effectively represent the interests of the worker.

International Best Practices.

Madam Speaker, several countries have adopted regulatory frameworks to manage the formation and registration of trade unions while promoting the workers' rights. Nigeria has, ...

Madam Speaker: Order!

he consultations are becoming louder and louder. Can you, please , lower your voices. You may continue, hon. Member.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, in Nigeria, trade unions are required to demonstrate adequate representation before registration, and the authorities may deny registration if existing trade unions sufficiently represent the workers' concerns. In Kenya, a provisional registration period is provided during which the registrar assesses whether the establishment of a new trade union is necessary. In South Africa, pre-registration requirements were introduced under that country’s Labour Relations Act to prevent unnecessary duplication of trade unions within industries. These approaches demonstrate that it is possible to regulate the formation of trade unions whilst protecting the constitutional right to freedom of association.

Need for Regulatory Framework

Madam Speaker, while the right to freedom of association must be preserved, there is a clear need to introduce measures that promote stronger, more effective and more co-ordinated trade union representation. Regulatory reforms may include reviewing the criteria of registration of trade unions to prevent unnecessary duplication within industries, strengthening the regulatory framework governing trade unions, establishing or strengthening institutional –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Please, wind up, hon. Member. Your time is up.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, such reforms will contribute to building a stronger and more unified labour movement capable of advancing the interests of the workers while promoting industrial harmony and national development.

With those few remarks, I beg to move.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

Mr Mwila: Now, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I rise to second the Motion ably moved by the Member of Parliament for Chama North, Hon. Mtayachalo. Through this Motion, the Government is being urged to introduce regulatory measures to govern the formation and registration of trade unions to minimise multiplicity within industries while safeguarding the interests of Zambian workers.

In seconding this Motion, Madam Speaker, I wish to state, firstly, that it is the right of every worker to belong to a trade union of their choice. In fact, that is even enshrined in our Constitution in the exercise of the freedom of association. However, as we may all know, this freedom is not limitless. This Motion does not seek to limit the right of the worker to associate with the trade union of their choice; it seeks to strengthen the voice of the worker's representation by urging the Government to regulate the formation and registration of trade unions.

In fact, even the International Labour Standards (ILS) seeks harmonisation between the measures that are put in place in any country for the formation or registration of trade unions and the promotion of freedom of association. The ILS emphasises the fact that the registration system of unions should be structured in a manner that supports the effective functioning of those international labour standards unions or workers' organisations. The mover of the Motion has given an example of the education sector that has about sixteen unions. This fragmentation of trade unions, even in the mining sector and many others, weakens the ability of trade unions to effectively influence labour policy discussions. That is why, through this Motion, the Government is being urged to strengthen the ability of trade unions to effectively represent their members, not limit the workers' rights. The fewer the trade unions are in each sector, the stronger the voice of the workers.

Madam Speaker, let me move on to another point on what is obtaining in the country with regards to the administrative measures and the regulatory framework of trade unions. Currently, in Zambia, there is an absence of a dedicated institutional mechanism responsible for regulating trade unions other than the Labour Commissioner’s Office. It is within the powers of the labour commissioner to perform administrative and regulatory functions relating to trade unions. Given that the labour dynamics in other jurisdictions across the world have been transformed, Zambia has remained in this position for a very long time. The current system may not provide the level of specialised oversight required to effectively manage the evolving dynamics of the labour movement. Therefore, to strengthen the worker's voice, an institutional framework is needed, which will remove the regulatory and supervisory requirements from the Labour Commissioner to this institution that will reflect the current dynamics within Zambia and across the globe.

Madam Speaker, in concluding the seconding of this Motion, I wish to urge the Government, and all the hon. Members in this House, to protect workers' rights, as we seek to strengthen the voice of the workers. We need to support this Motion so that there is no multiplicity of trade unions in and across the sectors. Multiplicity, as we have said, weakens the workers' voice. To strengthen the workers' voice, fewer unions are needed in each sector.

Madam Speaker, I urge all hon. Members to support this Motion because it is non-controversial. We are all here, in this House, to represent the interests of the workers.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Allen Banda (Chimwemwe): Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to also thank the mover and seconder of the Motion.

Madam Speaker, the Motion is on regulating the registration of trade unions to minimise multiplicity. I will be brief, but concise, so that I do not go over what my hon. Colleagues have already debated on. Otherwise, I will start sounding like a broken record.

Madam Speaker, like my hon. Colleague already alluded to, there are obviously more than enough teacher unions. What is needed is one union that will speak well and represent its members. Some of the core mandates of labour movements or trade unions, in general, look at the welfare of their members; improve and provide better working conditions. However, most of our unions dwell on better salaries. They believe that this is a better lure to bring members into their unions. Why do they do this? They look at other union members who live luxurious lives and drive better cars than them. That is the reason they need to be regulated, and to ensure that there is only one or two unions representing workers.

Madam Speaker, there is the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) and the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ), for example. One wonders which teacher in Zambia is not a professional. If we are talking about non-professional teachers, perhaps, we are looking at untrained teachers. However, that is just less than 1 percent, if I am correct. Otherwise, most teachers have already gone to school; they have been trained; they have the skills, and are specialised. So, why are there all these unions instead of having one?

Madam Speaker, whenever the Budget Meeting is in session, most trade unions appear before your Committees. They understand that the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education is less than 20 per cent as per international standards. This means most teachers cannot be upgraded at that time until, maybe, the Government finds alternative sources of collecting revenue.

Madam Speaker, regarding the unions, as they negotiate for a salary increment, they can consider a percentage that they can agree with the Government and split in half. For argument’s sake, if they are awarded 5 per cent, they can allocate 2.5 per cent towards the upgrade of teachers. After converting that into monetary terms, they can see how many members in need of an upgrade can be captured. The other 2 per cent can go across the board as a salary increment. However, this cannot happen because there are so many unions, and each one of them is looking for membership. The unions know, as I said earlier, that luring members means promising them a salary increment.

Madam Speaker, let me now talk about the mining sector. When the Mineworkers’ Union of Zambia (MUZ) was the only union, there were very few accidents. As more unions are being formed, we are seeing more accidents.

Madam Speaker, you will agree with me that the more we have foreign contractors in the country, the sooner they leave. We have workers in the mines, or let me say, the bottom line of labour, and we call the people working underground workmen while others call them helpers. Those people have experience working underground, but as handymen. When they go for interviews, they are able to explain everything that happens underground, but they are not operators. So, because they belong to so many unions, they doctor their record of service. No union actually pays attention, and no new contractors check on the referees because most companies closed and, obviously, their numbers go unanswered. If we only had one union, that union would actually help most of the contractors, and we can reduce on mine accidents.

Madam Speaker, why is the mover of the Motion insisting on just having a single union or perhaps a few unions? One advantage would probably be increased efficiency and reduced conflict. A single union avoids rivalry and membership poaching. A strong, unified voice is what we need.

Madam Speaker, with those few words, I wish to support the Motion.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Nyambose (Chasefu): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Motion.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I do not support the Motion, and the reasons are very clear. This Motion stands to infringe on the rights of workers. Zambia is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the ILO Convention No. 87 gives workers the right to belong to unions of their choice. That is a right. Workers cannot be restricted to a particular union as that would be against their rights. As Members of Parliament, we cannot start making laws to guide people on how to behave.

Madam Speaker, the reasons being advanced by those who are for this Motion are very simple. They are saying that we have multiple unions, or a multiplicity of unionism in Zambia. The question is: Why do we have unions? We should go back to the basics. When we call ourselves representatives, we should be relevant to the people we represent. If I am not relevant and I am not doing what my members expect, I will be taken out, and another person will take up the responsibility. So, we cannot come up with a law that all workers should stick to one union.

Madam Speaker, those in support of the Motion gave examples of unions such as the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) and the Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) in the teaching fraternity. The question is: What is the benefit of the contributors, who are the workers we are talking about? What is their benefit? When we form unions, we are representatives of the workers. So, if our leadership is questionable, the workers should not be restricted or confined to a particular union. They should be able to move to another union.

Madam Speaker, we need quality leadership. The ILO Convention No. 87 was ratified by member states, and the Government cannot go against it. Look at what the National Pension Scheme Act did. People were forced to belong to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA). What has happened? Institutions such as the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF) and the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) have been affected. Even those people who saw the benefits of LASF or the PSPF were forced to contribute to a fund that did not benefit them. So, coming to the Motion under discussion, we cannot state that we should have one union in this country because the workers have the right to join unions of their choice.

Mr Simumba: Question!

Mr Nyambose: That is their right.

Madam Speaker, we should provide quality leadership. Now is the time for the leadership in unions to reflect. How is their leadership? You will notice that even in the teaching fraternity, some unions have more members. That means they are doing a good job for their members. Some unions exist only in name, with just a few members. It shows that such unions lack quality leadership. It becomes difficult when one has to bargain with one union that, for lack of a better word, has cantankerous leadership. There can be anarchy in the working environment.

Madam Speaker, we must allow workers to choose their own leaders and belong to unions of their choice. Under the ILO Convention, it is their right. The Government cannot start restricting them.

Mr Mukosa: Question!

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, I am against the Motion. I was in a union, and I always wanted to be a good leader so that all members would be united and there would be no fragmentation. There were two unions in the industry I worked for.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, I was accountable to the people. However, if I am forced to belong to a particular union, tomorrow I will relax. Some of the unions, not to mention names, do not even visit their members …

Mr B. Mpundu: Ni mwe mwaonawile ama unions.

Mr Nyambose: … and those unions must work hard so that they are relevant to the people they represent. So, like I said, I do not support this Motion. We must be relevant to the people we represent. Even us in this House –

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Mr Nyambose: Some of those hon. Members saying “Question!” have already run away from their constituencies, like Nkana. They cannot stand because they are not relevant there.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, we must prove to our people that when we are elected, we represent them.

Laughter

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, this is a Motion that should not be supported.

Mr Mtayachalo: Question!

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, so far, this Government is doing very well. It has allowed people to exercise their freedom. Let people form their own unions and the Government has been accommodating the unions that are relevant. So, unions should engage with the Government.

Mr Mukosa: Your time is up!

Mr Nyambose: Madam Speaker, I can go on and on debating, but my friends here have already –

Mr Chala: Your time is up!

Mr Nyambose: You only have two months remaining; you are going.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kasandwe: Where are we going? You are the one who is going.

Mr Sing’ombe: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, thank you so much for the opportunity to debate.

Madam Speaker, from the outset, I would like to indicate that I do not support this Motion.

Hon. PF Members: Question!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[MR SECOND DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr Mapani: Mr Speaker, thank you very much. Before business was suspended, ab initio, I had indicated that I do not support the Motion on the Floor of the House.

Mr Speaker, we have listened to a couple of issues that have been advanced as some of the factors for this Motion to be recognised by the Government. Among them is the issue of fragmentation. Fragmentation can never be an issue that can lead to abrogation or violation of our Constitution.

Mr Speaker, when we talk about restrictions on the number of trade unions and that rules ought to be put in place so that there can be restrictions of some kind to reduce the number of trade unions, we need to realise, first of all, that Zambia is a constitutional country, which means we have a written Constitution. The contents of the Constitution ought to be respected. Zambia is a party to a couple of international covenants. At this point, I would love to cite one of them, which is the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which we are party to, and whose contents we extracted and incorporated into our Constitution. Therefore, we ought to respect those contents. Furthermore, Zambia is party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That, alone, means that whatever we extracted from that document and domesticated by including it into our Constitution ought to be respected. There will not be any benefit for people to sit and deliberately diminish people’s rights.

Mr Speaker, our Constitution is very clear. Part III of our Constitution looks at the issue of human rights. We respect the people in this country by allowing them to enjoy their rights. Among the rights we have include the freedom of association and assembly, freedom of movement and freedom of expression. This can only be achieved when our citizens are allowed to decide which groups they want to join to advance their causes. At the end of the day, Zambians who wish to join trade unions can choose which trade union they feel will represent their aspirations. It is from there that I, Herbert Moono Mapani, stand ready to not allow this Motion to go through. This is because this Motion purely intends to curtail people’s rights, and that is unconstitutional. Let the people of this Republic enjoy their rights. Until there is an abrogation of the law, no citizen should be denied the right to enjoy their rights.

Mr Speaker, with those few words, I stand not ready to support this Motion.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chewe (Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity you have given me, on behalf of the people of Lubansenshi, to contribute to the debate on this important Motion before this august House. I will try to provide counsel or advice, especially on issues relating to the Constitution.

Mr Speaker, first and foremost, in this country called Zambia, we respect our Constitution. That is why when some of us came to Parliament in 2021, we pledged to protect the Constitution of the Zambian people, meaning that we would protect the rights of Zambians in every sector. You will agree with me that we have two mother bodies of trade unions in Zambia, namely the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ). These are the two mother bodies to which smaller unions are affiliated. So, when we talk of representing people’s right at their workplace, it is important to realise that workers have the right to belong to a union of their choice. That right is in our Republican Constitution. The Industrial and Labour Relations Act of 1993 also provides for the enhancement of workers’ rights, by allowing workers to join trade unions of their choice. We also have another law, the Employment Code Act of 2019, which also talks about the promotion of human rights and the freedom of workers to join any union of their choice. So, my advice is that, firstly, we have the two trade union mother bodies and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. We need to harmonise the two and seek guidance on how this issue should be treated, and it should be forwarded to the President of this Republic, because he also believes in democracy. Yes, there is a multiplicity of unions in Zambia. We have to find a better way of dealing with the issue because there is a bit of a tag of war when it comes to representing workers in their workplaces. I will cite an example. When you go to Mopani Copper Mines, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Lubambe Mine, Kansanshi Mine, Lumwana Mine and the other big mining companies, you find that there are many unions claiming that they represent the best interests of the workers. At the end of the day, it is the workers who are, at times, misrepresented. Therefore, for me, we need to protect the workers’ interests. We also need to ensure that the representatives in the unions really represent the workers accordingly. Maybe, that is where the gap or problem is. How can the process be driven to ensure a win-win situation is achieved?

Mr Speaker, first and foremost, my advice is that the two unions should have a better understanding of some of the challenges and how they can be minimised. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is supposed to ensure a win-win situation is achieved. So, I find it difficult to support this Motion because of the way it has been framed.

Mr Simumba: Question!

Mr Chewe: The Motion is talking about regulation. If the proposal was about limitation, then, it was going to be another thing, but the Motion is talking about regulating. Regulating what? That is where I have a problem.

Mr Speaker, I am very particular about the interests of the workers, and I will give an example. The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has been in existence since 1946 and it still exists to date because people believe in it. It provides the representation that workers need. Yes, there are other unions such as the United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ), National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and others. However, workers can belong to a union of their choice. That is what democracy entails.

Mr Speaker, even when it comes to political parties, there are a number of political parties. When it comes to voting, people vote for their candidates based on the political party they want. So, when we talk about democracy, why should we regulate trade unions? For me, this is about leaders who have the mandate to represent the workers and they need to represent them accordingly. In case there are challenges, the two mother bodies can start the process. If that is done, I can support them.

Mr Speaker, when we talk about regulating, it is important to be realistic. Why would the Government want to regulate the registration of trade unions? Does it wish to kill democracy? Since I believe in democracy, definitely, I cannot support that.

Mr Speaker, in the interest of time, and on behalf of the people of Lubansenshi, I suggest that there is a better way to introduce the Motion other than what it is suggesting. Why would we want to take confusion where there is no confusion? Already, there are two mother bodies already, and if they so wish, they can bring this issue and it will have more input than the way it has been introduced. Otherwise, the Motion is purely trying to kill democracy, which the workers are enjoying because they can belong to any union of their choice.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security (Ms Tambatamba): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion on the Floor of the House.

Mr Speaker, in so doing, I would like to first congratulate my two hon. Colleagues who were recently appointed by the President of the Republic of Zambia to serve as Cabinet Ministers, at the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Hon. Mufunelo Malama and at the Ministry of Health, Dr Katakwe.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear! Quality!

Ms Tambatamba: Mr Speaker, having listened to the debate on the Motion from the mover and the seconder, let me state that Article 21 of the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia, provides for employees' rights to unionise. However, Clause Section 2(d) of the same Article provides for reasonable conditions to be established in other pieces of legislation relating to procedures on how employees form and belong to unions.

Mr Speaker, these conditions are contained in the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, Chapter 269 of the Laws of Zambia. Under the same law, the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) is empowered to prescribe such other conditions relating to the formation of unions. These two points must be observed. Our Constitution and indeed other pieces of legislation provide for conditions that enable the process to be done in a mature manner that allows workers to govern themselves.

Mr Speaker, as we have heard from the mover of the Motion and other speakers, currently, there are 121 registered trade unions in Zambia with sixteen being in the education sector alone. The current criterion for the registration of representative bodies has not been updated to address the growing number of unions.

Mr Speaker, riding on the above provisions, therefore, and realising that there has been a multiplicity of unions, the House may wish to note that the TCLC held a meeting on 27^th October, 2025, and recommended to the Government to review regulations for trade union registration with a view to strengthening the requirements. The recommendations of the TCLC was based on the outcomes of the meetings of the trade unions at Fairmount Hotel in Livingstone on t 22^nd to 26^th May, 2023, and at Chapa Classic Lodge in Livingstone from the 24^th to 25^th September, 2025. The TCLC debated and deliberated on this matter, as a result of the demand from the workers' federations as far back as 2023.

Mr Speaker, it is worth noting also that the recommendations of the social partners, union leaders, or the umbrella bodies or mother bodies are in sync with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and they take extra care to follow their guidance when they make decisions. So, the recommendations of the social partners are in sync with ILO conventions, which seek to protect workers' rights in places of work and the right to organise and also resonates with the constitutional provisions.

Mr Speaker, to that end, the Government, working together with employers and trade unions, formulated a draft statutory instrument (SI), which has been passed on to the Cabinet for consideration and further guidance.

Mr Speaker, the proliferation of trade unions has negative effects on productivity due to the loss of working hours resulting from prolonged negotiations with numerous sectoral unions. This problem is further compounded by the fragmentation of unions within the same industry or sectors as we seen in the education sector, which can dilute collective bargaining as well, strength and cause uncertainty to both employers and employees.

Mr Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, I thank the chairperson of the Committee for the report. I also thank Hon. Mpundu, the seconder of the Motion.

Madam Speaker, the report has given us an insight of what the Zambian people think about the checkpoints across the country. We need the designated checkpoints across this country. We have seen a good number of illegal things transported on our roads. If we remove the designated checkpoints, we will end up losing many things.

Madam Speaker, let me come to the issue that checkpoints are a nuisance. There are people saying that we do not need checkpoints because they have become an inconvenience to the public. People have been complaining about checkpoints. The other thing we need to look at is where checkpoints are mounted. If you look at the area around the National Heroes Stadium and 6 miles, you will see that there is a concrete patch on the road, but we never utilise it. We have decided to go and damage the road at 12 miles or 13 miles. So, what people are saying is that we need to check trucks at the concrete area of the road, which the Road Development Agency (RDA) designed to withstand the pressure of loaded trucks.

Madam Speaker, technology has advanced in this country. We see a good number of police officers hiding at traffic lights across Lusaka because they are no longer at checkpoints. Even now, if you go to Manda Hill, you will find traffic officers hiding there. That is a danger to drivers. In the next Budget, I expect the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security – I know he will come back. Mukalikuli, so!

Mr Mwiimbu, SC.: Yes!

Mr Zulu: You will come back, sir.

Madam Speaker, when he comes back, I expect him to bring a budget here which will include body cameras for police officers. We need cameras at traffic lights across the country. Twenty-six years ago, I was a young man. I was arrested in South Africa because I passed the traffic lights when they turned orange. My car had a South African number plate, and I was charged for that offence. So, twenty-six years ago, South Africa had cameras at traffic lights. Today, in Zambia, we do not have them. It is time that the hon. Minister and his team at the ministry started creating a smart Zambia, where people will be charged and pay electronically so that they are not inconvenienced. It is very difficult for one to avoid paying the penalty because when one goes to pay for road tax or renew the licence, one will still find that charge. When we do that, people are going to be disciplined on our highways.

Madam Speaker, the other thing which causes police officers to behave the way they do is the carelessness of some drivers. We should not be protecting people who break the law. People need to be charged, but let us use a smart way of charging them. We can start by putting body cameras on police officers, so that those who try to be corrupt can be caught. That is going to help us.

Madam Speaker, we have seen a good number of police officers being abused by members of the public. It is because of the training they go through. Officers need public relation skills when dealing with people. We deploy officers to the traffic department. We need to improve the curriculum of the Zambia Police Service and impart the sense in police officers that they can negotiate or talk with individuals without offending them because they would not know the mood of the other person. If I commit a traffic offence, a police officer should tell me the offence I have committed. If it is an impoundable offence, I should be told that. Osati chabe, “Paking’a apa uzakambila ku police”. That is a problem. Police officers just say, “Park here, we are going to talk at the police station.”

Madam Speaker, the SMART Zambia Institute should be encouraged to work with the Zambia Police Service to improve technology across the country concerning traffic issues. I just want to learn something from the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Are the cameras that were installed across this country still working or not? If those cameras are working, why do we have unnecessary checkpoints? If those cameras are working, why do we have unnecessary checkpoints? Cameras are able to capture any number plate and send it to the central command office so that people can be charged. So, my plea to the hon. Minister is that we improve the way we do things.

Madam Speaker, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) has detectors. If a vehicle is not licensed, the detectors will pick the number plate. So, the police can copy from the RTSA. They can start doing what the RTSA is doing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Chilubi, I would like to add my voice to the debate on this very important Motion.

Madam Speaker, before we talk about checkpoints and roadblocks, we need to understand the constitutional role of the police. Article 193(2) states as follows:

“(2) The Zambia Police Service shall –

protect life and property;

preserve peace and maintain law and order;

ensure the security of the people;

detect and prevent crime;

uphold the Bill of Rights;

foster and promote good relationships with the Defence Force, other national security services and members of society; and

perform other functions as prescribed.”

Madam Speaker, having said that, I would like to view the checkpoints and roadblocks using the Constitution as a mirror. I want to indicate that based on national security, checkpoints and roadblocks are relevant, according to the Constitution. Why are they relevant? They are relevant because they can help the police to protect life and property. They can also help to preserve peace and maintain law and order. They can also ensure the security of the people. They can detect and prevent crime. They can uphold, in a way, the Bill of Rights, depending on how they are implemented. Of course, they can foster good relations with other forces.

Madam Speaker, we are debating checkpoints and roadblocks in this House today because what is desired is not what happens; there is a big gap. There are designated checkpoints and even roadblocks which everyone wishes to see. I mean, if you are not a criminal, you should not be concerned about such. However, some officers, I am underlining the word “some,” are involved in corruption. I am speaking as a person who has moved with a vehicle with an In-Transit Permit (IT) from Nakonde. I have used all sorts of transport, especially on the Great North Road. I can safely tell you that there are all sorts of corrupt activities, especially petty ones, at checkpoints or roadblocks. After you pay at one checkpoint, another vehicle, one with green and white labels and a light on top, will follow you and charge you over the same thing.

Madam Speaker, we cannot say that because the law is abused, therefore, let us remove the things that are so helpful. What needs to be done is harmonisation. We need to be taking the people manning checkpoints and roadblocks for refresher courses frequently, so that they understand the emergence of new crimes on roads, how to treat people while accommodating human rights, and how to detect and prevent crime. Detection and prevention of crime requires equipment. Purchase of equipment automatically requires funding.

Mr Speaker, the President’s Address underscored the Government’s resolve to strengthen democratic governance and constitutional order. At the local government level, we have enhanced citizen participation through Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and strengthened transparency in council operations. Public participation frameworks have been institutionalised to ensure that development priorities reflect the will and aspirations of our people. This is a practical application of democratic principles and participatory governance.

Mr Speaker, the ministry has continued to collaborate with oversight institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Auditor-General’s Office to curb financial mismanagement in local authorities. We have reinforced internal audit functions, digitised selected financial processes, and promoted zero tolerance to corruption. These measures are aligned with the national value of integrity and ethical leadership.

Mr Speaker, the Government remains committed to fostering national unity and cohesion. Development initiatives are being implemented without discrimination on the basis of region, ethnicity, political affiliation, or social status. Through rural infrastructure development, water and sanitation programmes, and integrated urban development planning, we are ensuring that no community is left behind in our quest to attain inclusive growth.

Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President’s Address was not merely a constitutional formality but a reaffirmation of the Government’s moral and constitutional obligation to entrench national values and principles in every facet of governance. It is, therefore, important that all Zambians, regardless of political affiliation, work together in promoting national unity, peace and development. The President’s Speech reminds us that the future of our country depends on our ability to uphold the values that define us as a people.

Mr Speaker, allow me to reiterate my ministry’s full support for the President’s vision and commitment to strengthening national values and principles. As the ministry responsible for local governance, we remain steadfast in translating these values into tangible outcomes at the grassroots level. We shall continue strengthening decentralisation, promoting accountability, fostering citizen participation, and ensuring equitable development across the Republic. We shall continue working tirelessly to ensure that development reaches every district, constituency and ward in our country.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Justice (Ms Kasune): Mr Speaker, I rise to wholeheartedly commend the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for his powerful, timely and deeply reflective address on the progress made in applying our national values and principles, in accordance with Article 9(2) of the Constitution. The address was more than a constitutional obligation; it was a moral reaffirmation of who we are as a people. Governance, when anchored on values, becomes service, and leadership, when guided by principles, becomes stewardship.

Mr Speaker, our visionary President reminded this House and the nation that the national values and principles under Article 8 of the Constitution of Zambia are not decorative or symbolic aspirations, but are about integrity, transparency, human dignity, equity, accountability, and sustainable development. These are not merely public statements; they are binding commitments that guide governance and serve as the moral compass of our Republic.

Mr Speaker, under the able leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, a steward leader, these values are being translated into concrete action, strengthening institutions, restoring public trust, and deepening our democracy as many of us are witnessing. The President has placed morality and ethics at the heart of national renewal. A nation that protects its children, defends its women and restores dignity to its families, understands that justice is beyond the courtroom. Justice must be felt and not just proclaimed.

Mr Speaker, the President reaffirmed the motto of One Zambia, One Nation, one people and one would add, under one God, to the House and the public. Constitutional patriotism is in action when we speak to these values. Eradicating cadreism, as my colleague alluded to earlier, from public spaces and the restoration of public order in market places and bus stations, are visible signals that the rule of law is non-negotiable under the New Dawn Government. No one, of course, is above the law. That is why, as the Ministry of Justice, we appreciate the President’s Address. This not only ensures stability in our nation, but as the President has reminded us from time to time, instability somewhere else is instability in our own country, and this can affect investment.

Mr Speaker, President Hichilema’s principled leadership is seen even in the constitutional amendment. For the first time, we will have a historic representation of women under proportional representation. This was a slogan and sounding a gong, but now this will be a reality.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, this is not just about the women but also our youths. A high proportion of our population is youthful, and never at any time did we have a legal framework, but because of this Government, today, we are saying that the youths will be represented in this House.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, it will not just end there; persons with disabilities will also be represented. It is not charity, this is justice and this constitutional inclusion speaks to the heart of this New Dawn Government. Therefore, as the Ministry of Justice, we facilitated this consultative participatory process that reflected the heart of the people and was stamped by hon. Members of Parliament in the way they voted. Hon. Members of Parliament made history by ensuring that these values became part of who we are as a people.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: Mr Speaker, as Minister of Justice, I am proud that hon. Members of Parliament chose to be non-partisan and put the country first.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Ms Kasune: This is as it should be.

Mr Speaker, human dignity is the soul of our Constitution. Expanding legal aid services, deploying resident High Court Judges across all provinces, and constructing and rehabilitating local courts are all part of access to justice, and this is in action. That is why the Legal Aid Board increased its offices from eleven in 2021 to an intended thirty-five by 2026, which we will be completing this year. Bringing legal services closer to underserved communities is critical.

Mr Speaker, therefore, budgetary support for legal aid services increased from K19.46 million in 2021 to a whopping K102.12 million in 2026. This represents a 425 per cent increment. We know that where your money is, is where your heart is. So, clearly, this reflects where the heart of the President and the New Dawn Government is. Justice will not only be for the few but also for those who are less privileged.

Mr Speaker, fighting corruption should not just be about sounding a gong, but a part of our democracy. We must defend democracy. The President has made it clear that corruption has no sanctuary. Not even we, as Ministers, will be exempted from the fight. Anyone will be brought to book, if found wanting. That is why there is need for improved prosecution. We have, indeed, seen historic success from asset recovery operations. We have shown that there will be no impunity. Indeed, we are bringing back public trust.

Mr Speaker, in as much as time may not be with me, let me say that as we approach the 2026 General Elections, let it be recorded that the New Dawn Government has laid the legal and institutional foundation for elections. The elections are going to be free, fair, credible and peaceful because that is the democracy we signed up for.

Mr Speaker, democracy thrives not on intimidation, violence or hate speech. Democracy should thrive on ideas, tolerance and respectful debates. Indeed, let us build a Zambia that we all can be proud of. The Ministry of Justice stands ready to ensure that the values we uphold, the Christian values, are not just relics, but values we can live by in order for us to become a nation that will be admired, not only in the region, but also in the world as a whole.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

The Minister for Western Province (Mr Mbangweta): Mr Speaker, thank you for according me this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the well-articulated and inspiring speech made in this august House by the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on 20^th February, 2026, in relation to the progress made in the application of our national values and principles, in line with Article 9(2) of the Constitution.

Mr Speaker, the speech made by the President was very elaborate and ably presented to this august House. I, therefore, want to state from the outset that I support the Motion in its entirety. I will confine my response to the values and principles relating to patriotism and national unity, human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination and good governance and integrity.

Mr Speaker, one of the hallmarks of the New Dawn Administration has been the restoration of the rule of law, order and peace, as opposed to the past when chaos was the order of the day. I, therefore, want to agree with the President when he stated on page 9 of his speech as follows:

“Under the UPND New Dawn Administration, there has been an unprecedented reduction in political violence and cadreism in our country.

Under our watch, there is no room for political violence. There is no room for cadreism. There is no room for lawlessness. Let me be clear, no one is above the law.”

Mr Speaker, it is common core that elections are now held peacefully, unlike in the past when pangas were a common feature. On balance, the general citizenry go about their business peacefully without even paying attention when there are by-elections going on, apart from the communities in the affected wards and constituencies. For example, since August, 2021, we have had fourteen by-elections in the Western Province, occasioned, by and large, by natural attrition, and our party, of course, walloped the others. These elections were held under peaceful arrangements. Most people did not even know that there were by-elections going on.

Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration has, indeed, made remarkable progress in advancing human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination, in order to foster national development. We have seen a shift from partisan governance to national service. This Administration has delivered development in an inclusive manner. Regions that were neglected and marginalised by past administrations now receive a fair share of the national cake. This Administration has refused to govern by division and patronage, as was the case in the past. Instead, it has chosen the harder, but nobler, path of inclusive development, healing the wounds of polarisation and stitching the fabric of our national unity.

Mr Speaker, allow me to give a few examples to demonstrate how the New Dawn Administration has delivered development in an inclusive manner, in the context of the Western Province. This Administration has increased the number of beneficiaries on the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme from 112,000 in 2021 to the current 177,000, contrary to our competitors, who used to tell voters that if we were voted into power, the SCT Programme would end. This Government also has increased the beneficiaries under the Food Security Pack (FSP) from the original 5,600 to the current 16,560.

Mr Speaker, one of the biggest achievements of the current Presidency and the New Dawn Administration is that we have aggressively managed to stem the rural-urban drift by taking opportunities to rural areas, hence stopping people from rural areas moving to areas along the line of rail. The opportunities include skills development programmes, provision of secondary school bursaries, increased access to electricity through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the provision of empowerment programmes. Through skills development, communities in rural areas are now able to form companies and co-operatives that compete and get contracts for various jobs in their local areas. Through provision of secondary school bursaries, children in rural areas have more opportunities to complete secondary school and further their education.

Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration has continued expanding access to electricity, especially in rural areas, which other Governments failed to do. For instance, this Administration has connected Mitete District to the national grid for the first time since Independence. In addition, REA has completed a number of grid extension projects, including in the following areas: Ikwichi in Makapaela, Limulunga; Shimano in Nkeyema; Kashamu in Kaoma; Kaeya-seyi in Senanga; Namatindi-buleya in Kalabo; and Natukoma in Shangombo. Furthermore, grid extension projects in Luampa and Mulobezi are ongoing.

Mr Speaker, on this momentum, the rollout of the Presidential Constituency Energy Initiative (PCEI) in every constituency across the country will further expand access to electricity through the production of 2 MW of solar power in each constituency.

Mr Speaker, under the New Dawn Administration, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has been instrumental in providing affordable capital to our citizens in order to enhance production and productivity. For example, the commission recently provided loans amounting to K27 million to four co-operatives in Sikongo in order to boost rice production and productivity. The commission also recently launched a K10.8 million aquaculture expansion project in Senanga District. At full capacity, the project will produce more than 1,000 metric tonnes of fish per annum. This project will surely contribute to increased aquaculture production in the province.

Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration has also made significant progress in revitalising livestock production in the Western Province. This Administration has scaled up cattle vaccination as well as restocking.

Mr Speaker, in a quest to modernise agriculture to enhance productivity among our farmers, the New Dawn Administration has, so far, established five service centres and one centre of excellence in Mongu, Nkeyema, Kaoma, Sioma, Sesheke and Kalabo districts, and have also been equipped with vital machinery, including tractors, rippers, row planters and fertiliser spreaders in order to increase productivity in our area.

The remarkable increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from a meagre K1.6 million in 2021 to the unprecedented K40 million per constituency has, this year, continued to empower local communities to determine their own development priorities on an equal basis regardless of their political affiliation.

The enhanced CDF continues to bridge the long-standing disparity between the rural and urban areas. Through this arrangement, thousands of youth have benefited from vocational training in trades skills such as carpentry, among others. When this party formed the Government in 2021, it embarked on a robust road infrastructure development programme even amidst a huge debt and the depleted coffers plundered by the previous regime.

Mr Speaker, while on this, let me thank the President for providing exemplary leadership, which has enabled this country to restructure its debt thus, putting the country on the path of economic recovery and economic growth. In its structured and methodological approach, this Administration started by completing the rehabilitation of the Kafue Bridge, which had been stored for more than seven years, thus, providing a reliable and safer link to the capital city of Lusaka and providing a gateway to international markets. It then went on to complete the rehabilitation of the Mongu/Limulunga Road and the construction of bridges across the Luanginga and the Silanda rivers in Kalabo thus, enhancing access to Liuwa National Park thereby, boosting tourism in the region.

In addition, progress has been made on the rehabilitation of 87.3km of the road from Tateyoyo/Katunda Junction, …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: … along the Mongu/Lusaka Road reaching about 6 per cent completion. I am truly thankful to the President and his team for achieving in four years what others failed to do in so many years.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mbangweta: Mr Speaker, works on the Katunda/Lukulu Road and the Kasempa/Kaoma Road are expected to commence in earnest after the rainy season. In addition, construction of the Kalabo/Sikongo Road is on the horizon.

Mr Speaker, let me conclude by once again thanking the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for this well-articulated and structured speech, which inspired many Zambians. The speech has demonstrated that Zambia is on the right trajectory, and it is poised for greatness under his leadership. On behalf of the people of the Western Province, I wish to pledge my continued support to the New Dawn Administration as we match towards an even more prosperous, equitable and united Zambia.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Hon. Ministers, I think I have to advise.

As you present your statement, you should also take into account the concerns that were raised by hon. Members. So far, none of the hon. Ministers who have debated has been able to address the specifics that were raised by hon. Members. So, I hope you took note of the concerns that were raised as the hon. Members were debating.

Mr Nkandu: We will come and respond tomorrow.

Mr Second Deputy Speaker: Will you respond?

Mr Nkandu: Yes, we are coming.

The Minister for Luapula Province (Mr N. Musonda): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity.

Mr Speaker, it is with profound gratitude and singular honour that on behalf of the good people of Luapula, I have a rare privilege to debate and support the President’s Address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles delivered to this House during the Fifth Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly on Friday, 20^th February, 2026.

Mr Speaker, from the outset, I wish to put it on record that the President’s Address was well thought through, well researched, it was on point, well-articulated and it did succinctly address fundamental issues anchored on our national values and principles, as a people.

Mr Speaker, I will narrow my debate to just two issues.

Democracy, Constitutionalism and Patriotism

Mr Speaker, the country witnessed a landmark constitutional amendment that ushered in what was deemed an impossibility, a mixed-member proportional representation at both the National Assembly and at the local government levels. This milestone will guarantee effective representation at all levels of governance. Therefore, I cannot wait to see the new-look Parliament where the voices of the youth, women and differently abled persons will be heard and respected. So, that is the democracy that the New Dawn Administration under the able leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema has delivered in just four years. This was deemed impossible.

Mr Speaker, the new constitutional order will not only address effective representation as a result of the iminent delimitation of larger constituencies, but will also result in equitable resource allocation to all areas. As per your guidance, I will delve into this aspect because some hon. Members, especially the hon. Member of Parliament for Mpika, questioned the equitable resource allocation.

Mr Speaker, at this stage, allow me to commend all hon. Members of Parliament on your left, although most of them have already knocked off.

Laughter

Mr N. Musonda: I say so because those hon. Members declined to follow narrow partisan interests. Instead, they decided to side with the country. That is patriotism. Posterity is slowly dawning. We have already seen hon. Members of Parliament who were against the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 now jostling for new constituencies.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: We know them and we will tell their voters that uwakana ukwela akana nokocha, which means when you fail to work, do not expect to eat.

Mr Speaker, we have also seen that Chilubi Island, which has twenty-four wards, is now being recommended for delimitation. The area hon. Members of Parliament was yesterday in Kasama, defending himself for not -supporting the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.7, but he was quick to support delimitation yesterday, which was in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.7. That is why I have said uwakana ukwela akana nokocha.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr N. Musonda: However, this is also hypocrisy with gigantic magnitudes because you cannot fail to support, but at the same time you go back to the same thing that you demonised.

Mr Nkandu: If you do not want to work, do not eat!

Laughter

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration has demonstrated that all men were created equal. Therefore, we are strong when we are united, as a country. This Government has rolled out development across all corners of the country without discrimination, and Luapula Province is a true witness to this infrastructure development.

Mr Speaker, the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which has been increased exponentially from a meagre K1.6 million to K40 million is being released equitably to all constituencies across the country. That is equity.

In Kawambwa and Luapula in particular, we have seen that all wards have now construction centres and sites. We have seen the construction of maternity annexes, health posts, classroom blocks, markets, police posts and ablution blocks in schools and public places, thereby bringing public safety closer to our people. That is what the New Dawn Administration has been able to achieve.

Mr Speaker, hon. Members on your left were demonising this Government when we experienced load shedding, but that is a thing of the past. Under the Presidential Solar Initiative we have received, in Luapula, a 50 MW Mabumba Solar Plant.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: We have seen investment in coal thermopower generation, and we will soon be getting to 1,600 MW. We have seen reforms such as the 2024 Open Access Regulation. That is progressive.

Mr Speaker, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Government has implemented the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) with precision, and that has resulted in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7). The Rural Electrification Authority (REA), as the hon. Minister for Western Province mentioned, has reduced connection fees from K4,800 to only K300.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, the New Dawn Administration is ensuring that everyone has equal access to electricity.

Mr Nkandu: Quality! Ema Ministers aya!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, free education has been the greatest gift for our children in Luapula Province.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, parents no longer worry when school terms start because Bally has paid it all.

Mr Speaker, the UPND Government has brought peace and co-existence among our people and communities, especially in Luapula Province, where there was violence previously. Now, elections are won without bloodshed. That was impossible barely five years ago.

Mr Nkandu: War time!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, under the New Dawn Administration, for the first time in Luapula Province, the Kashikishi/Chienge Road is being worked on, which seemed impossible.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, the Kasaba/Lubwe Road and the Kasomeno/Mwenda Road, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, is being done across the Luapula River, as well as the expansion of the Mansa Airport. Further, construction of the Pedicle Road will soon commence. What else can one say? That is what the New Dawn Administration has done.

Mr Speaker, there are many successes, including social protection, which we have seen in Luapula Province. Given the turnaround of our economy and the peace we are enjoying, the Opposition has no alternative message. This country is now safer than ever before. That is the more reason we have witnessed massive endorsement of President Hakainde Hichilema for re-election.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, the student populace, Opposition Members of Parliament, the youths, the Mayor of Mansa, Mr Njikho Musuku, councillors and all the people of Zambia have said yes.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, this is a call to all Zambians to protect the gains that this Government has so far attained under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr N. Musonda: Mr Speaker, the people of Luapula Province overwhelmingly support the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Speech.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Minister for Copperbelt Province (Mr Matambo): Mr Speaker, thank you.

Mr Nkandu: Salt sana!

Mr Matambo: Mr Speaker, I rise with a profound sense of duty and pride, on behalf of the people of the Copperbelt Province, to support the Motion of Thanks to the eloquent, visionary and data-driven address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles delivered by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, on Friday, 20^th February, 2026. As we stand on the threshold of the 2026 Electoral Year, the message from the Copperbelt is clear. The message is that the New Dawn is no longer a promise, but a lived reality.

Mr Speaker, we are particularly thankful for the remarkable strides made under the President’s visionary leadership, which have directly benefited the hardworking people of the Copperbelt. In particular, we acknowledge the significant strides made by the Government in infrastructure development. In their debates, some hon. Colleagues from the Opposition talked about infrastructure, saying that there is nothing on the Copperbelt Province. Let me say that the road network across the province continues to undergo remarkable improvements, enhancing connectivity and facilitating trade and economic activities that are vital for our province and beyond. Some of the notable roads that this Government is working on are the 323 km Lusaka/Ndola Dual Carriageway, whose works are progressing well, and the completion of the Masangano/Fisenge/Luanshya Road. There is a brand-new road.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Matambo: Mr Speaker, there is also the completion of the Chingola/Kasumbalesa and Ndola/Sakanya roads.

Mr Speaker, we are witnessing the transformation of our border posts with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), such as the Sakanya Border Post, into modern efficient hubs of trade and commerce. This is not just about constructing roads and buildings but about creating jobs for our people, facilitating trade for our businesses and enhancing the ease of doing business. The upgrading of those facilities, including Mokambo Border Post, is a clear demonstration of this Government’s commitment to turning the Copperbelt into a true economic gateway.

Mr Speaker, works on the Sakanya/Mufulira and the Mufulira/Mokambo roads have continued and are progressing well. Township roads are also being upgraded. Whichever town one wants to travel to on the Copperbelt is a construction site. New roads are being constructed all over the province. The anticipated Lobito Corridor will be a game-changer, not only for Copperbelt Province and the North-Western Province, but the country at large. Further, construction of roads is not only being done in town but also other areas. The Luansobe/Mpongwe/Machiya/Ngabwe Road and the Machiya Bridge are also being worked on. Ground-breaking on the Lumpuma/Mukutuma Road in Lufwanyama will be done in the next few days.

Mr Speaker, the transformation of social sectors in the province is unprecedented. Health institutions are no longer consultation clinics with empty shelves, as they used to be. I am proud to report that through reformed supply chain management, essential drug and medicine availability at Copperbelt health facilities has increased to over 90 per cent. We are also currently witnessing the ongoing recruitment of 2,000 health workers, and looking forward, with anticipation, to the upcoming recruitment of 5,500 teachers, which will further lower the teacher-pupil ratio, and cement the success of the Free Education Policy. There is also the construction of six Level I hospitals; one in Masaiti, two in Ndola, two in Kitwe and one in Chililabombwe.

Mr Chipoka Mulenga: Hear, hear!

Mr Matambo: Mr Speaker, this Government is also constructing the first ever, and I repeat, the first ever cancer hospital in Ndola, since the creation of Planet Earth, which will be completed in June.

Mr Speaker, these developments are being driven by the sound economic policies and increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation. We found the CDF allocation partly at K1.6 million, which the Opposition talked about, and it was increased to K25.7 million in 2022, K28.3 million in 2023, K30.6 million in 2024, K36.1 million in 2025, and now sitting at K40 million per constituency in 2026. The fund is empowering our local communities to decide and deliver the projects they need most. The increase in the allocation has funded the construction of maternity annexes, boreholes, health posts, classrooms, blocks, bridges, clinics, schools and desks, and has provided thousands of youths and women with empowerment grants, skills development and secondary school bursaries across the province. With the delimitation exercise currently in place, this Government is taking resources to the grassroots. For example, more than 20,000 youths have been trained with skills in carpentry, electrical, earth-moving machine operations, and so on and so forth.

Mr Nkandu: Quality!

Mr Matambo: Mr Speaker, the Copperbelt Province remains the heartbeat of our economy, and under this Administration, that heart is beating stronger than ever before. Thanks to the stable, predictable and resilience investor-friendly policies that are in the mining sector.

Mr Speaker, let me announce to the country some of the notable investments, and they are as follows:

the pumping of water from the abandoned 28 Shaft in Luanshya has been completed. We are now employing people, meaning that the operations of the mine will start earlier than expected;

operations at both Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) are now on track;

KCM has been implementing its corporate social responsibility and has worked on some roads in Chingola and Chililabombwe; and

feasibility studies are being done at Mingomba Mine Limited, and in the fourth quarter of this year, shaft sinking will commence.

Mr Speaker, I think, my brother, the hon. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, will add more salt to this. Salt sana.

Mr Speaker, under President Hichilema’s stewardship, we have achieved remarkable stability in all economic fundamentals. The Kwacha has emerged as one of the best-performing currencies in the world, reflecting confidence in our reforms. The gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to exceed 6 per cent, which we found at negative three.

Mr Speaker, the Government continues to invest heavily in the water sector, with a number of construction and rehabilitation projects being undertaken. The US$441 million Kafulafuta Dam, which was commissioned by the President, covers four districts, and will benefit one million people. The Nkana Water Treatment Plant is being rehabilitated at a cost of US$60 million and aims to benefit 890 people. The €156 million Zambia Water and Sanitation Project, led by Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Ltd and targeting three districts, will benefit 508 people.

Mr Speaker, as we head towards the August 2026 General Elections, I humbly appeal to the people of Zambia, especially resilient citizens of the Copperbelt, to give President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND) a resounding victory. Let us choose progress over stagnation, and unity over division. Let us not derail the progress we have made. Let us keep the country in capable hands. Let us ensure continuity, stability and the consolidation of the economy and social gains we are now beginning to enjoy.

Mr Speaker, the students and the people of the Copperbelt have a newly coined slogan of salt sana. Balanda ati icikwanka bacimwena kumampalanya, meaning you will know them by their fruits. It is automatically showing that, because of what President Hakainde has done on the Copperbelt Province. Come 13^th August, 2026, the Copperbelt will give almost double what they gave President Hakainde in 2021. May God bless the people of the Copperbelt.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mrs Mulyata: Ema Ministers aya. Copperbelt!

The Minister for Southern Province (Mr Nanjuwa): Mr Speaker, I am grateful for giving me this opportunity to debate.

Mr Speaker, I rise with profound gratitude and a deep sense of duty to express my sincere appreciation to the President’s Address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles. On behalf of the people of the Southern Province, I thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for his clear, comprehensive and inspiring exposition of how our national values are being translated into tangible action for the benefit of our people.

Mr Speaker, the address was not merely a constitutional obligation under Article 9(2) of the Constitution. It was a reaffirmation of who we are as a people. It reminded us that morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, human dignity and social justice, good governance and integrity, and sustainable development are not abstract ideals but living principles shaping our nation and national transformation.

Mr Speaker, the people of the Southern Province are particularly encouraged by the unwavering commitment to addressing social challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, teenage pregnancies and substance abuse. The expansion of free education in the Southern Province, skills training, empowerment programmes and social protection interventions has brought renewed hope to families across our province.

Mr Speaker, we are inspired by the continued strengthening of patriotism and national unity and the guiding principle of One Zambia, One Nation, one people. The enhancement of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and the promotion of local content policies are creating real opportunities for our youth, women and other entrepreneurs. These initiatives are empowering our communities and stimulating inclusive growth in the Southern Province. The constitutional reforms that guarantee representation for women, youths and persons with disabilities mark a historic step toward a more inclusive democracy. This demonstrates focused and innovative leadership that listens to people and acts in their interest. That is the leadership that President Hakainde Hichilema is demonstrating in this country, region and across the continent of Africa.

Mr Speaker, the strides made in advancing human dignity, equity and social justice are visible on the ground. In the Southern Province, we have witnessed improvements in access to free education, health services, clean water, rural electrification and economic empowerment programmes. These developments affirm that national values are being translated into measurable progress. We also commend the firm stance on good governance and integrity, the fight against corruption and the recovery of public and liquid assets and, movable and immovable assets, which reinforces public trust and ensures that resources serve the rightful owners; the people of the Southern Province, the people of Zambia.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nanjuwa: Mr Speaker, as we approach the general elections, which will be held on 13^th August, 2026, the call for peace, tolerance and unity resonates deeply with the people of the Southern Province. We remain committed to upholding peace before, during and after elections.

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nanjuwa: Mr Speaker, democracy must be anchored on respect, dialogue and national cohesion. As the people of the Southern Province, we are committed to ensuring a peaceful election in the province and to giving President Hakainde Hichilema a 99.9 per cent vote.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the people of the Southern Province, I express sincere appreciation to His Excellency for a speech that inspires confidence, reinforces our shared values and strengthens our collective resolve to build a prosperous Southern Province and a prosperous and united Zambia. Let us, as Members of Parliament, rise above partisan interests and work together to entrench our national values in every policy and action. The people of the Southern Province are proud that the hon. Members of Parliament in the province supported the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025. We are happy that the Councillors met His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, for the first time in this country.

Mr Speaker, together, guided by faith and united in purpose, we shall continue to move the Southern Province and Zambia forward.

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation (Mr Haimbe, SC.): Mr Speaker, I rise to support the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles, delivered in the House on Friday, 20^th February, 2026, by Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, …

Mr Nkandu: Commander-in-Chief!

Mr Haimbe, SC.: … and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Speaker, in accordance with Article 9(2) of the Constitution, the President reported to this House on how the national values and principles under Article 8 are being applied.

My remarks will focus on the implications of the address for Zambia’s foreign policy and international co-operation agenda.

Mr Speaker, may I make a general note before I go into each of the thematic areas. Hon. Members of this House, particularly those on your left, made certain insinuations about the progress made by the country to date. Many of the insinuations were speculations. Although you guided that we must respond to them, it is apt that I speak to the positive outcomes that have been achieved in the period under review, rather than focus on negativity that is not reality. Indeed, those hon. Members who debated against the President’s Address did not speak facts. We have heard positive submissions and debates on the Floor of this House from hon. Members on the right and from some progressive hon. Members on the left. Indeed, this country has made leaps and bounds from the time the current Administration took over. As the House has heard already, there is no other direction that the country is being taken other than forward. It is in that regard that I will speak to the thematic areas in turn, beginning with democracy and Zambia’s international standing.

Democracy and Zambia’s International Standing

Mr Speaker, the reaffirmation of democracy, constitutionalism and peaceful elections ahead of the 2026 General Elections is central to Zambia’s international credibility. In our engagements at bilateral and multilateral levels, Zambia’s stability remains one of the strongest diplomatic assets. Predictability in governance strengthens investor confidence, development partnerships, regional leadership and sovereign credibility. Simply put, a stable Zambia is a respected Zambia. Indeed, His Excellency the President highlighted the stability that Zambia has attained. I can certainly attest to the fact that everywhere we go, in the exercise of our duty as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, everybody asks us about the strides made by Zambia, and we are able to walk with our heads held high and say that Zambia is, indeed, kuchalo, meaning ‘Zambia to the world’.

Good Governance as a Foreign Policy Asset

Mr Speaker, the progress reported in strengthening anti-corruption enforcement and improving institutional efficiency has direct implications for international co-operation. Today, development financing, trade partnerships and investment flows are closely linked to governance standards. Therefore, strengthening integrity and the rule of law enhances Zambia’s negotiating position with international financial institutions, development partners, regional economic communities and private sector investors. The report on governance reform by His Excellency the President will surely translate into strengthened diplomacy. This is in keeping with the clear policy position taken by Zambia with respect to economic diplomacy, peace, security and stability, all of which make Zambia a stellar investment destination and a clear leader in the quest for regional and continental integration, which is, at the end of the day, for the growth of our economy and the well-being of our people.

Social Investment and Global Credibility

Mr Speaker, the President highlighted expanded social protection and the Free Education Policy, which have benefited over 2.5 million children and increased recruitment of teachers and health workers. These domestic investments reinforce Zambia’s credibility in global development forums. When Zambia speaks on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as education access, gender equity and social protection systems, it speaks from a position of having walked the talk, through the matters highlighted by His Excellency the President in his address. We do so from lived policy implementation. Therefore, the report on domestic progress will further strengthen our international voice and give us a moral leg to stand on as we engage with investment partners and, indeed, with our partners in development.

Sustainable Development and Climate Engagement

Mr Speaker, the President underscored Zambia’s green growth trajectory, enhanced climate monitoring systems, expanded forest management and sustainable mining regulation. These efforts align with global climate frameworks and green financing mechanisms. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in collaboration with other sector ministries, we pledge to continue to advance Zambia’s interests in the foregoing. Zambia’s interests in climate finance mobilisation, responsible mineral supply chains, clean energy partnerships and sustainable investment co-operation cannot be overemphasised. We believe that environmental stewardship will enhance economic diplomacy. This is the backdrop of His Excellency’s Address in that regard.

Macroeconomic Stability and International Confidence

Mr Speaker, the improvements in macroeconomic fundamentals, including currency performance and easing inflation, provide a stronger foundation for our international engagement. Macroeconomic stability enhances debt restructuring negotiations, development financing access, trade expansion and long-term investment attraction. The reported domestic fiscal discipline will enhance the effectiveness of our economic diplomacy.

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, allow me to state that national values and principles, that is, democracy, human dignity and good governance, unity and sustainable development are not only domestic commitments, but pillars of Zambia’s external engagement. The President’s Address, therefore, demonstrated alignment between domestic reform and international positioning. As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, we remain steadfast in translating these values into stronger partnerships, expanded trade, increased investment and measurable development outcomes for the people of Zambia. In other words, growth, growth and more growth.

Mr Speaker, I support the Motion and I thank you.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Second Deputy Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Kabuswe.

Interruptions

Mr Chikote: Ema mine aya!

Mr Nkandu: Foday Sankoh!

The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development (Mr Kabuswe): Mr Speaker, thank you very much –

Mr Nkandu: Rebel leader!

Mr Kabuswe: Mr Speaker, I need your protection from the hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts.

Mr Nkandu: Rebel leader!

Mr Kabuswe: Mr Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to commend and thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, for his timely and very inspiring speech.

Mr Speaker, I want to look at the phrase ‘values and principles’ because that is basically what President Hakainde came to present to the House and the nation. I heard one of the debaters say that the President should have zeroed in on the progress made from 2025 to 2026. However, we cannot talk about improvement in just twelve months, when we have been running the country for the past five years.

Mr Speaker, we must be mindful that that address was his last report before going back to the Zambian people to seek a fresh mandate. So, when he came to this House, he needed to give a wholesome report ...

Mr Nkandu: Walikwata amano iwe!

Mr Kabuswe: … that this is what we achieved in the past five years.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: For example, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was at K1.6 million, but it is now at K40 million. That is a value.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: Mr Speaker, in his speech, the President showed how he values human beings. So, he says, “Because I value you so much, I cannot be giving you a paltry K1.6 million for the development of a constituency. I must increase it so that development can cascade to all the corners of the country.” That has been done equitably in comparison to those who were releasing K1.6 million in peanuts, whereby, one constituency would receive while the other would not just because the other was not aligned to the Ruling Party. That is a lack of values and principles. However, this President has principles and values every human being regardless of the corner of the country they come from. He spreads with one button and all constituencies receive the same amount of money. We call it a value.

Mr Speaker, I heard one of the debaters on the Floor of the House say that President Hakainde Hichilema, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development together with the soldiers went to Kikonge to remove illegal miners, who are Zambian youths who wanted to survive on mining. You cannot survive in an illegal environment. President Hakainde Hichilema and his team said they would not tolerate illegal mining.

Hon. Government Members: Quality!

Mr Kabuswe: The want legal mining, they want formal trade and they want it to be done in a manner that is properly formalised. So, he had to send soldiers because within the Kikonge area, there were even gun shops. People started using guns to threaten legally appointed officers of the Government. Further, most of the people who were there were foreigners, who were funding the illegal miners leaving our own youths poor, yet, they became rich at the expense of the Zambian Economy.

Mr Speaker, because the President values human beings, he said he does not want to bury any more people than we did in Chingola last time with my brother, the hon. Minister for the Copperbelt Province. We buried over thirty of our youths who died at Senseli Mine. So, President Hakainde Hichilema said because he promotes principles and values, he is never going to support illegal mining.

Mr Speaker, it is not that President Hakainde Hichilema had no solution, no. As the illegal miners were being removed from Kikonge, in parallel, we were training co-operatives in various provinces.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: We trained co-operatives in formal mining, legal mining and in safe mining. We also trained them in the economy of mining so that when they mine safely, they are able to make a living out of it. So, if 400 co-operatives are trained, it means that we have to get 400 and multiply that by the number of people in each co-operative. If for example, there are 100 people in each co-operative, it means that we are going to have 40,000 people who will benefit from what is happening at Kikonge.

Mr Speaker, we have not only done that at Kikonge, but also in Mpika. Next week, our people are going to Mapatizya to train the same co-operatives because this President is saying we want legal and safe mining, and formal trade. We also want security of our minerals because our people have been crying that they are not seeing benefits out of the resources that we are endowed with. So, if you are a leader worth your salt, you must support that kind of a programme. You cannot say we must leave illegal miners to continue. That would amount to saying we must not stop thieves because they are Zambians. If somebody is stealing, just because they are Zambians, should we not arrest them? No. We must operate in a manner that is legal and formal.

Mr Speaker, that is why there was a serious breakdown of the rule of law in the previous regime because people were supporting wrong things. Illegal miners became king makers, but the President said that he does not care whether he loses popularity, we have to do the right thing. Here we are, and because of what we have done in Kikonge, Mpika, Mapatizya where we are going, in Mumbwa where we will be going, in Vubwi and in Lusangazi, all those will be votes for President Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Nkandu: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: Mr Speaker, because President HH (Hakainde Hichilema) values human lives and the welfare of the Zambian people, he said we have to resuscitate the mines. So, what did he do? All the brownfield mines are back and they are firing on all cylinders. The Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is firing and so is Mopani Copper Mines. Like my brother said, dewatering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine was completed. Kitumba Mine is firing, the S3 Expansion Project at First Quantum Mine (FQM) Kansanshi is firing and the Lumwana Super Pit is also firing.

Mr Speaker, because of that, Zambia recorded an increase of 890,000 metric tonnes in copper production in 2025 for the first time, rushing to the 1 million mark until the 3 million metric tonnes, which is a target for President Hakainde Hichilema. As a consequence of that, the mining sector has created 30,000 extra jobs …

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: … since President Hakainde Hichilema assumed office, and we are still counting because those numbers are up to October 2025. That is how values and principles are promoted, because they are about people and how people are benefiting.

Mr Speaker, as if that is not enough, the President says by revamping the mining sector, we are seeing job creation, but, we also need to see more benefits to our people. He sent Kabuswe to go and implement the local content policy.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kabuswe: We must have direct benefits from suppliers and contractors. We are going to start with 20 per cent of goods and services being supplied to mining companies in Zambia by locally-owned or citizen-empowered entities. Today, I heard one of the former hon. Ministers saying that the 20 per cent is not enough, and I was wondering why he did not do it when he was Minister for such a long time. The former hon. Minister said that the 20 per cent is too little. However, we are graduating from the 20 per cent to 35 per cent until we reach 40 per cent. Why have we done that? It is because President HH is intelligent and methodical.

Mr Speaker, Zambians were living in abject poverty under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government. We need to build capacity and capacity starts small. We need to train our people to be proper suppliers and contractors. As such, we must start graduating from 20 per cent to 35 per cent until we reach a minimum of 40 per cent. That is why we have put the Local Content law in place. These are practical steps that are showing that President Hakainde Hichilema has promoted values and principles so that the lives of the Zambian people can begin to improve.

Mr Speaker, because of these things, we can see that the Kwacha has begun breathing again, it is showing strength. The economy is growing from negative 2.8 per cent and it is now going to grow by over 5 per cent because of the sound policies. The inflation has also gone down from over 20 per cent to a single digit. That is what you call valuing people and having principles to make people live better lives.

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me say that when he goes back on 13^th August, 2026 to seek a fresh mandate, the Zambian people will say yes to President Hakainde Hichilema to continue. Salt sana.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Speaker: Order!

(Debate Adjourned)

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Defense and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Lufuma): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

_______

The House adjourned at 1839 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 18^th March, 2026.

____________

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